Matthew 26:2

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

Ye know {G1492} that {G3754} after {G3326} two {G1417} days {G2250} is {G1096} the feast of the passover {G3957}, and {G2532} the Son {G5207} of man {G444} is betrayed {G3860} to {G1519} be crucified {G4717}.

"As you know, Pesach is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be nailed to the execution-stake."

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

Ye know that after two days the passover cometh, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified.

Commentary

Matthew 26:2 (KJV) records a poignant and crucial prophecy from Jesus concerning His impending passion. This verse immediately follows the conclusion of Jesus' Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), where He spoke of the end times and His second coming. Here, Jesus shifts the focus directly to the immediate events leading to His crucifixion, demonstrating His complete foreknowledge and sovereign control over the timeline of His sacrifice.

Context

This declaration by Jesus is made to His disciples "after two days" before the Jewish feast of the Passover. The Passover was a significant annual festival commemorating God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, marked by the sacrifice of a lamb (Exodus 12:3). The timing is critical, as it directly links Jesus' death to this ancient sacrificial tradition, portraying Him as the ultimate Passover Lamb.

Key Themes

  • Divine Foreknowledge and Sovereignty: Jesus explicitly states the exact timing and manner of His death ("after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified"). This is not a random occurrence but a preordained event, demonstrating God's meticulous plan for human redemption.
  • The Son of Man: Jesus refers to Himself by His preferred title, "the Son of man." This term, often used by Jesus throughout the Gospels, emphasizes both His humanity and His unique divine authority and messianic role, drawing from the prophetic vision in Daniel 7:13-14. It highlights His identity as the one destined to suffer and reign.
  • Imminent Betrayal and Crucifixion: The verse starkly announces the painful reality of His impending betrayal and crucifixion. This foreshadows the actions of Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:14-16) and the brutal method of execution reserved for criminals by the Roman Empire.
  • Sacrificial Fulfillment: By connecting His crucifixion to the Passover, Jesus underscores that His death is a substitutionary sacrifice, fulfilling the Old Testament types and shadows.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "Passover" is Pascha (πάσχα), which directly relates to the Hebrew Pesach, the traditional name for the festival. The phrase "Son of man" is ho huios tou anthrōpou (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου) in Greek, a self-designation used by Jesus that carries deep theological weight, pointing to His dual nature as both fully human and fully divine.

Significance and Application

Matthew 26:2 serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' willing submission to God's plan. He was not a victim of circumstance but intentionally walked the path to the cross, knowing full well the suffering that awaited Him. This profound foreknowledge offers immense comfort, assuring believers that God's purposes are sovereign and unshakeable, even in the face of betrayal and death. It also deepens our appreciation for the magnitude of God's love, demonstrated in Christ's voluntary sacrifice. As we reflect on this verse, we are called to remember the ultimate act of love that would soon be commemorated in the Lord's Supper, establishing a new covenant through His blood.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 14:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ After two days was [the feast of] the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put [him] to death.

  • Mark 14:2 (5 votes)

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

  • Luke 22:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

  • Luke 22:2 (5 votes)

    And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

  • John 13:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

  • John 13:2 (4 votes)

    And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's [son], to betray him;

  • Matthew 20:18 (4 votes)

    Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,