Matthew 26

Matthew 26 is a pivotal chapter in the Gospel of Matthew, detailing the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. It begins with Jesus predicting His imminent suffering and includes the plot to kill Him, the Last Supper, His prayers in Gethsemane, His betrayal by Judas, and finally His arrest and trial before the Sanhedrin. This chapter highlights the fulfillment of prophecy, the weakness of human loyalty, and the unwavering purpose of Jesus as He submits to God’s plan for salvation.

Matthew 26:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples,
2 “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
3 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
4 and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him.
5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

Jesus predicts His crucifixion to His disciples, indicating that it will occur in two days during the Passover, aligning His death with the festival that commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, and emphasizing His role as the sacrificial Lamb. As Jerusalem fills with pilgrims, the chief priests, scribes, and elders gather at the high priest Caiaphas’s palace to conspire against Jesus. They plan to arrest and kill Him but decide against doing so during the feast to avoid public uproar due to His popularity. Despite this, their plan changes with Judas Iscariot’s betrayal, which provides a discreet opportunity to arrest Jesus at night, away from the crowds. This leads to His arrest during Passover, fulfilling His earlier prediction and inadvertently connecting His sacrifice to the Passover symbolism of deliverance and redemption.

Matthew 26:6-13 (NKJV)
6 And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper,
7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table.
8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?
9 For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”
10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.
11 For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always.
12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial.
13 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

This act of devotion by the woman is significant, as it foreshadows Jesus’ impending death and burial. The disciples’ reaction shows their limited understanding; they focus on the material value rather than the spiritual significance of her gesture. Jesus defends her, highlighting the importance of honoring Him and recognizing His sacrificial mission. Her action stands as a timeless example of love and devotion to Christ.

Matthew 26:14-16 (NKJV)
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.
16 So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.

Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, agrees to betray Jesus to the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver, a sum that devalues Jesus to the price of a slave as mentioned in Exodus 21:32. This betrayal, driven by greed, contrasts sharply with the devoted act of the woman who anointed Jesus. Judas's actions not only highlight the varied responses to Jesus but also fulfill the Old Testament prophecy in Zechariah 11:12-13, which foretold the betrayal for thirty pieces of silver. This event underscores the tragic outcomes of turning away from Jesus and demonstrates how human actions, even those that seem purely destructive, can fulfill divine purposes.

Matthew 26:17-25 (NKJV)
17 Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
18 And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’”
19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.
20 When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve.
21 Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?”
23 He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me.
24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”
25 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.”

Jesus and His disciples prepare for the Passover meal, which they will share in a disciple’s arranged room in Jerusalem. During the meal, Jesus reveals that one of them will betray Him, leading to stunned and sorrowful inquiries from each disciple about their potential role in the betrayal. Jesus confirms that the betrayer is one who dips his hand in the dish with Him, specifying Judas. He underscores the gravity of Judas's actions by saying that it would have been better for Judas if he had never been born, illustrating the severe consequences of this betrayal despite its role in fulfilling prophecy.

Matthew 26:26-30 (NKJV)
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”
27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.
28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, giving profound significance to the bread and wine as symbols of His body and blood. This act establishes the new covenant, signifying forgiveness and unity in His sacrifice. By sharing this meal, Jesus prepares His disciples to remember Him and participate in His mission. His words about drinking anew in the Kingdom hint at the future hope of reunion with Him.

Matthew 26:31-35 (NKJV)
31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”
34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.

Jesus forewarns His disciples about their impending desertion, citing the prophecy, "I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered." This prophecy is from Zechariah 13:7, which foretells the scattering of the followers upon the leader's affliction. Despite Peter's emphatic claim of loyalty, Jesus reveals that Peter will deny Him three times that very night. This moment captures human frailty and the tension between courage and fear, even among the most devoted followers, and foreshadows Peter’s imminent denial of Jesus, despite his initial resolve.

Matthew 26:36-46 (NKJV)
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.”
37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

Jesus and His disciples go to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He asks them to sit while He goes further to pray. He takes Peter, James, and John with Him, expressing His deep sorrow and distress, and asks them to keep watch. As He prays fervently, He acknowledges His anguish and requests, if possible, that this cup of suffering be taken from Him, yet submits to God's will over His own. He finds the disciples asleep on His return, highlighting their human weakness despite their spirit's willingness. Jesus goes away to pray twice more, each time returning to find the disciples sleeping, unable to stay awake during His time of profound distress. After the third return, He tells the disciples to wake up and prepare for what is coming, signaling that His betrayer is at hand. This narrative emphasizes Jesus’ profound human emotions and His submission to divine will, juxtaposed against the disciples' inability to remain vigilant during a critical moment, showcasing a poignant scene of divine commitment and human frailty.

Matthew 26:47-56 (NKJV)
47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.
48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.”
49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”
55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.
56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

Jesus' betrayal and arrest unfold as Judas arrives in the Garden of Gethsemane accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders. Judas signals Jesus' identity with a kiss, a prearranged sign of betrayal. As the crowd moves to seize Jesus, one of His disciples, later identified in the Gospel of John as Peter, reacts impulsively by drawing a sword and cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant. Jesus immediately rebukes Peter, commanding him to put away his sword, and teaches a crucial lesson: “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” This statement emphasizes non-violence and the belief that resorting to violence leads to a cycle of violence and destruction. Jesus heals the servant’s ear, further underscoring His message of peace and His commitment to fulfilling God's will rather than resisting arrest. He then questions the need for such a violent approach to His arrest, highlighting the irony that although He taught daily in the temple, they did not seize Him then but choose this moment, fulfilling the Scriptures that prophesied these events. His disciples, witnessing these events, fulfill His earlier prediction as they desert Him and flee, a poignant moment of fear and abandonment that contrasts sharply with Jesus' composed adherence to His divine mission.

Matthew 26:57-68 (NKJV)
57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
58 But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.
59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death,
60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward
61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’”
62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?”
63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”
64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!
66 What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.”
67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,
68 saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”

In His trial before Caiaphas, Jesus remains mostly silent, only affirming His identity as the Messiah when directly asked. His response triggers accusations of blasphemy, and the council condemns Him to death. The brutal treatment that follows shows the depth of human rejection toward the One who came to save them. This injustice fulfills prophecy, as Jesus submits to bearing humanity’s sin and shame.

Matthew 26:69-75 (NKJV)
69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.”
70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”
71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!”
73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.”
74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.

Peter’s threefold denial fulfills Jesus’ earlier prediction, demonstrating the weakness and fear that can overcome even the most committed disciple. The rooster’s crow brings a painful reminder of his failure, leading Peter to deep remorse. This moment serves as a poignant example of human frailty but also sets the stage for Peter’s eventual restoration and growth in faith.