Matthew 26:1

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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},

Complete Jewish Bible

When Yeshua had finished speaking, he said to his talmidim,

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 26:1 serves as a crucial structural and theological hinge in the Gospel narrative, marking the definitive conclusion of Jesus' extensive public teaching ministry and the immediate prelude to the Passion Week events. This verse signals a deliberate shift from discourse to decisive action, setting the stage for the fulfillment of prophecy through Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection, highlighting the intentionality and divine timing of God's redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 26:1 immediately follows Jesus' final major discourse, commonly known as the [Olivet Discourse](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse"), spanning [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - Prophecies of the End Times") and [Matthew 25](/matthew/25 "Matthew 25 - Parables of Preparation"). This extensive teaching session, delivered on the Mount of Olives, covered prophecies concerning the [destruction of the temple](/matthew/24-2 "Matthew 24:2 - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction"), signs of the end of the age, and parables emphasizing vigilance, preparedness, and faithful stewardship, such as the [Parable of the Ten Virgins](/matthew/25-1-13 "Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins") and the [Parable of the Talents](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents"). The phrase "all these sayings" explicitly refers to this comprehensive body of eschatological and ethical instruction, making Matthew 26:1 a clear literary marker for the end of Jesus' teaching phase and the beginning of the Passion narrative, which commences with His prophecy of the Passover crucifixion in [Matthew 26:2](/matthew/26-2 "Matthew 26:2 - Jesus Foretells His Crucifixion").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Matthew 26 unfold during the week leading up to Passover, a pivotal Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. Jerusalem would have been bustling with pilgrims, and the religious and political tensions surrounding Jesus were at their peak. The Jewish leadership, particularly the chief priests and elders, sought to arrest Jesus (as seen in [Matthew 26:3-5](/matthew/26-3-5 "Matthew 26:3-5 - The Plot Against Jesus")) but feared a public uprising during the festival. Jesus' teachings, especially those challenging the established religious order and proclaiming His own authority, had alienated many in power. Culturally, the Passover was a time of heightened expectation for a messianic deliverer, yet the prevailing understanding of the Messiah was often political and military, contrasting sharply with Jesus' path of suffering and sacrifice. This historical backdrop underscores the dramatic and dangerous context in which Jesus' final teachings concluded and His path to the cross began.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 26:1 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Fulfillment**, emphasizing that Jesus' journey to the cross was not a random occurrence but a divinely orchestrated plan, precisely timed and executed. The phrase "it came to pass" subtly reinforces this. Secondly, it underscores the **Authority and Finality of Jesus' Words**. The completion of "all these sayings" signifies that Jesus had delivered His full and authoritative revelation concerning the kingdom of God, the end times, and the demands of discipleship, preparing His followers for the ultimate act of redemption. This aligns with Matthew's emphasis on Jesus as the ultimate teacher, the new Moses, whose words are to be obeyed ([Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24-27 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders")). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Preparation and Transition**, both for Jesus as He moves towards His suffering and for His disciples, who are about to witness the most profound events of salvation history, having been equipped by His extensive teachings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **came to pass (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb, G1096, is a common Greek idiom often translated as "it happened" or "it came about." Here, it carries a sense of divine orchestration and inevitability. It's not merely a casual occurrence but an event unfolding according to a pre-determined plan, emphasizing God's sovereign hand in the unfolding narrative. Its use here signals a significant transition point in the divine drama.
* **finished (Greek, _teléō'_):** From G5055, this verb means "to bring to an end," "to complete," or "to accomplish." It implies a decisive conclusion, not just a pause in speaking, but the fulfillment of a specific phase or task. In this context, it signifies that Jesus' teaching ministry, particularly the extensive Olivet Discourse, was brought to its intended and complete close, preparing for the next, crucial stage of His mission.
* **sayings (Greek, _lógos'_):** G3056, referring to "something said," "a word," or "discourse." Here, "all these sayings" refers specifically to the comprehensive body of teachings Jesus had just delivered in Matthew 24-25. The use of _logos_ emphasizes the substance and authority of Jesus' verbal revelation, highlighting that His teachings are not trivial but foundational truths that His disciples were meant to internalize before the climactic events of His passion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And it came to pass,"**: This opening phrase serves as a significant narrative marker, common in biblical literature, indicating a transition to a new, important phase of events. It suggests that what follows is not accidental but part of a divinely ordered progression, emphasizing the sovereign hand of God in the unfolding of Jesus' ministry and passion.
* **"when Jesus had finished all these sayings,"**: This clause highlights the completion of Jesus' extensive teaching ministry, particularly the detailed eschatological and ethical instructions given in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25). The word "finished" (from _teléō_) implies a deliberate and purposeful conclusion, signifying that Jesus had fully delivered the necessary instruction to His disciples before embarking on the final, redemptive acts of His life.
* **"he said unto his disciples,"**: This specifies the audience for Jesus' subsequent declaration (in Matthew 26:2). The shift from public teaching to a more private address to His disciples underscores the intimate and weighty nature of the revelation to follow – His impending crucifixion. It marks a shift from broad instruction to specific, personal preparation for the events that would soon transpire.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 26:1 employs several key literary devices. It functions primarily as a **Structural Marker** or **Framing Device**, signaling the end of a major section of Jesus' public ministry (His teaching discourses) and the beginning of the Passion narrative. The phrase "And it came to pass" acts as a **Transitional Formula**, a common biblical idiom that introduces significant new developments in the narrative, often with an underlying sense of divine purpose or fulfillment. The reference to "all these sayings" uses **Anaphora** (or a form of it, by referring back to previous content) and **Summary Reference**, concisely encapsulating the preceding two chapters of detailed teachings. This verse also subtly employs **Foreshadowing**, as the completion of Jesus' teaching directly precedes His announcement of His impending crucifixion, setting a somber and purposeful tone for the events to come.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:1 is pregnant with theological significance, primarily serving as a profound statement on divine sovereignty and the intentionality of Christ's mission. The completion of Jesus' teachings is not merely a narrative break but a theological necessity, signaling that His verbal revelation was fully delivered before His ultimate act of self-giving on the cross. This verse underscores that the cross was not an unforeseen tragedy but the pre-ordained culmination of God's redemptive plan, a plan that Jesus Himself consciously embraced and executed. It highlights the profound connection between Jesus' words and His works, demonstrating that His teachings prepared the way for, and found their ultimate meaning in, His sacrificial death and resurrection.

* [John 13:1](/john/13-1 "John 13:1 - Jesus' Awareness of His Hour")
* [Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem")
* [Hebrews 10:5-7](/hebrews/10-5-7 "Hebrews 10:5-7 - Christ's Obedience to God's Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 26:1 invites us to consider the profound significance of Jesus' completed teachings and the deliberate unfolding of God's plan in our lives. Just as Jesus had "finished all these sayings" before embarking on His ultimate mission, we are called to internalize and live out the comprehensive truths He has revealed. This verse reminds us that there is a time for learning and a time for action, a time for preparation and a time for fulfillment. It encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing, even when faced with transitions that seem daunting or difficult. Understanding that Jesus' journey to the cross was purposeful and sovereignly guided should instill in us a deep confidence that our own lives, too, are held within the loving and powerful hand of God, moving towards His ultimate purposes. We are called to be vigilant and prepared, not just for future events, but for the ongoing call to discipleship that emerges from the completed work of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that Jesus "finished all these sayings" before His passion deepen your appreciation for the completeness and authority of His teachings?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing a transition, and how can the principle of divine timing in Matthew 26:1 encourage you?**
* **How does the deliberate nature of Jesus' journey to the cross challenge or affirm your understanding of God's sovereignty amidst suffering?**

### FAQ
**What are "all these sayings" that Jesus had finished?**

Answer: "All these sayings" refers specifically to the extensive teachings Jesus delivered in [Matthew chapters 24 and 25](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse"). This discourse, known as the Olivet Discourse, was given on the Mount of Olives and includes prophecies about the [destruction of the Jerusalem temple](/matthew/24-2 "Matthew 24:2 - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction"), signs of the end of the age, and several parables emphasizing vigilance, preparedness, and faithful living, such as the [Parable of the Ten Virgins](/matthew/25-1-13 "Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins") and the [Parable of the Talents](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents"). Matthew 26:1 marks the decisive conclusion of this major teaching block.

**Why is the phrase "it came to pass" significant in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "it came to pass" (Greek: _ginomai_) is a common biblical idiom that often signals a divinely appointed event or a significant turning point in the narrative. In [Matthew 26:1](/matthew/26-1 "Matthew 26:1 - Transition to the Passion Narrative"), it underscores that the transition from Jesus' teaching ministry to the events of His passion was not accidental or forced, but rather part of God's sovereign and pre-ordained plan. It emphasizes the intentionality and divine orchestration behind the unfolding of salvation history, particularly Jesus' journey to the cross.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 26:1, by marking the completion of Jesus' teaching ministry and the immediate prelude to His passion, profoundly points to Christ's deliberate and sovereign fulfillment of His redemptive mission. The "finishing of all these sayings" underscores that Jesus, as the ultimate Prophet and Teacher, had fully delivered the necessary revelation before embarking on His ultimate act as Priest and Sacrifice. His journey to the cross was not a reactive event but a purposeful progression, echoing His earlier declaration that the Son of Man "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" ([Matthew 20:28](/matthew/20-28 "Matthew 20:28 - The Purpose of the Son of Man")). This verse highlights Jesus' active agency in His own suffering, demonstrating that He was in control, even as He submitted to the Father's will. His completed teachings serve as the foundation upon which His atoning work is built, revealing the depth of the Father's love and the Son's obedience, ultimately culminating in the new covenant established through His blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in Christ's Blood")). Thus, Matthew 26:1 is a powerful reminder that every aspect of Christ's life, from His authoritative words to His sacrificial death, was perfectly orchestrated for the salvation of humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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;