The Gospel According to Matthew Chapter 26

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The Gospel According to Matthew Chapter 26

The Bible Text from https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.26.NIV

The Last Day and Night of Jesus

The Plot Against Jesus

1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,

2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away- and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” (He'd foretold His death three times. And it's about to happen.)

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. (The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus.)

5 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” (The festival was Passover, a holiday to remember being saved from the bondage of Egypt. (Ex. Ch. 12) Many people came to Jerusalem to celebrate the holiday. This made Jewish leaders hesitate to arrest Jesus. Because, it could have sparked riots against leaders at a gathering of people who thought Jesus was the Messiah.)

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. (A lady came to Jesus and anointed Him with a very expensive perfume to honor Him.)

8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked.

9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” (The disciples more concerned, however, for the monetary value which might be used for charity.)

10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.

11 The poor you will always have with you, (Deut. 15:11) but you will not always have me.

12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. (Jesus took her sacrifice as the preparation of His own funeral.)

13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Her sacrifice for Jesus became a part of His life and death. There is no greater value than the Death of Jesus. Jn. 15:13)

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

14 Then one of the Twelve- the one called Judas Iscariot- went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. (The money, similar to Joseph's ransom; 20 pieces of silver- Gen. 37:28, is equivalent to the four-month wage of the modern average worker, later cursed and, being used to purchase a cemetery. Mt. 27:3-10)

16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. ("While the Bible does not explicitly call Judas Iscariot a Zealot, many scholars believe he was, based on the potential meaning of his name. The theory suggests that "Iscariot" could be a variation of Sicarii, meaning "dagger-men," a more extremist faction within the Zealots who fought against Roman rule. This perspective suggests that Judas may have been a Zealot who followed Jesus, expecting him to lead a rebellion, and became disillusioned when Jesus emphasized peace and death instead of a political kingdom." Copied from Google AI) (But there is no excuse for him to be accused of being a traitor. He later committed suicide, and was considered it might be better not to be born. V. 24) (His offer made the leaders to execute their evil plot against Jesus. Refer to V. 5)

The Last Supper

17 On the first day (currently Thursday) of the Festival of Unleavened Bread (Passover), the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ” (Known to be Mark's Upper Room. Mark, presumably prepared the feast table.)

19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.

21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you (Judas) will betray me.”

22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” (Everyone was concerned who the traitor might be.)

23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me (who is very intimate to Jesus) will betray me.

24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. (He will die eventually in God's sovereignty.) But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” (Still the traitor will be condemned regardlessly.)

25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” (Judas asked and Jesus confirmed so no way for Judas to cancel.)

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” (The last supper used to be a symbol of Exodus but now Jesus confirm‎s the blood of Passover actually is the body and blood of Jesus.)

27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.

28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Here again Jesus confirm‎s His blood which will be shed on the cross is the redemptive sacrifice for everyone.)

29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (This will be the last dinner until the kingdom is completed by His return. Then there will be a heartfelt celebration of God's salvation.)

30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Seems like that every disciple was happy with the holiday spirit.)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ (Zech. 13:7)

32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” (He foretells His own death, the failure and despair of his disciples, the resurrection, and Himself on his way to Galilee.)

33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” (Peter guaranteed that he will never fail the Lord.)

34 “Truly I tell you,”Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” (Jesus, however, confirm‎s Peter's denial before the rooster crows.)

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (All the disciples claimed their loyalty to the Lord. But...)

Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane (a garden between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives), and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (James & John) along with him (a few of twelve), and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. (The upcoming suffering and death on the cross were very challenging even to Jesus, the Son of God.)

38 Then he said to (the three of) them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” (He needs the intercessory prayer.)

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. (This is what Jesus wants.) Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (But God's Kingdom come, and God's Will be done. Mt. 6:10)

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. (Peter fell asleep while Jesus praying.)

41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (We need to pray to know and follow God's will. But temptation lead to the other way. Peter, however, failed due to the weakness of physical body in spite of spiritual willingness. Body, mind, and spirit depend each other.)

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” (Not my will but Your will.)

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. (Peter might be exhausted from the previous happenings.)

44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. (Three times but all the same prayer.)

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. (The disciples failed to be with Jesus in His most difficult time.)

46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (It's over. But Jesus was ready to face suffering and death. We have to take the responsibility which has been given to ourselves.)

Jesus Arrested

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. (Judas arrived with armed people to the place which he might be familiar with.)

48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.”

49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. (Kissing, a typical greeting, was the arranged signal to identify Jesus in dark night.)

50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. (Jesus surrendered Himself to what was supposed to happen in the history of Salvation for human race.)

51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions (Peter, Jn. 18:10) reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52 “Put your sword back in its place,”Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. (The salvation of Jesus will not be achieved by sword/violence but by the Grace of God.)

53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (Jesus was able to mobilize the twelve units of angels to protect Himself- 2Kings 6:17. Not doing what you can do is more difficult; expression‎ of Meekness.)

54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (There are many factors for the death of Jesus but those are mere procedures for God's plan.)

55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. (Jesus argues His sinlessness. The arresting Jesus was illogical and illegal.)

56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” (Obeying God is the prime concern of Jesus.) Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. (Contrary to what they had said, all the disciples fled from the scene.)

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin (The Jewish tribal court in Jerusalem.)

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. (They brought Jesus to Caiaphas, the high priest. The night gathering was exceptionally unusual, or even illegal.)

58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. (Peter, even though he fled from the arrest of Jesus came to the courtyard to see what's happening.)

59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. (The Sanhedrin members wanted to kill Jesus with false witnesses.)

60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, (Two or more witnesses was required by the Law. Deut. 19:15) “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ” (Jesus said this referring to His upcoming death and resurrection. Jn. 2:19-22)

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”

63 But Jesus remained silent. (Jesus didn't defend Himself, because dying on the cross is the God's plan of Salvation.) The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” (Caiaphas asked if Jesus is the Messiah.)

64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Jesus not only admitted His Messiahship but also declared His second coming as the Mighty One.)

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. (Caiaphas took this statement as blasphemy against God.)

66 What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they (the people there) answered.

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” (Now the crowd lynched and mocked Jesus.)

Peter Disowns Jesus

69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. (As Jesus had foretold about the denial of Peter, he denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. It was the early morning of modern Friday.)

75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (The rooster reminded Peter what Jesus said of him, making him cry in desperation and frustration. If he were awaken and prayed with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane...)