Matthew 26
26
1After Jesus had said all this, he told his disciples, 2“You know that it's Passover in two days time, and the Son of man will be handed over to be crucified.”
3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of Caiaphas, the high priest. 4There they plotted to arrest Jesus on some deceitful pretext#26:4. Literally, “with guile.” and kill him. 5But they said, “Let's not do this during the festival so that the people don't riot.”
6While Jesus was staying at Simon the leper's house in Bethany, 7a woman came over to him carrying an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus' head while he was sitting eating.
8But when the disciples saw what she did, they were upset.“What a terrible waste!” they objected. 9“This perfume could've been sold for a lot of money and given to the poor!”
10Jesus was aware of what was going on and told them, “Why are you upset with this woman? She's done something wonderful for me! 11You'll always have the poor with you,#26:11. See Deuteronomy 15:11. but you won't always have me. 12By pouring this perfume on my body she's prepared me for burial. 13I tell you the truth: wherever in the world this good news is spread, the story of what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”
14Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the chief priests 15and asked them, “How much will you pay me for betraying Jesus to you?” They paid him thirty silver coins. 16From then on he looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
17On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you to eat?”
18Jesus told them, “Go into the city and find this particular man, and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is approaching. I'm coming to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19The disciples did as Jesus told them, and prepared the Passover meal there.
20When evening came he sat down to eat with the Twelve. 21While they were eating he told them, “I tell you the truth: one of you is going to betray me.”
22They were extremely upset. One after the other they asked him, “Lord, it's not me, is it?”
23“The one who's dipped his hand into the dish with me will betray me,” Jesus replied. 24“The Son of man will die just as it was prophesied about him, but what a disaster it will be for the man who betrays the Son of man! It would be better for that man if he'd never been born!”
25Judas, the one who would betray Jesus, asked, “It's not me, is it, Rabbi?”
“You said it,” Jesus replied.
26While they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave pieces to the disciples. “Take and eat this for it is my body,” said Jesus. 27Then he picked up the cup, blessed it, and gave it to them. “Drink from it, all of you,” he told them. 28“For this is my blood of the agreement,#26:28 Or “covenant.” poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29However, I tell you, I won't drink this fruit of the vine until the day I drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.” 30After they'd sung a song, they left for the Mount of Olives.
31“All of you will abandon me tonight,” Jesus told them. “As Scripture says, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the flock of sheep will be completely scattered.’#26:31. Quoting Zechariah 13:7. 32But after I have risen, I'll go ahead of you to Galilee.”
33But Peter objected, “Even if everyone else abandons you, I'll never abandon you.”
34“I'm telling you the truth,” Jesus told him, “This very night, before the cock crows, you'll deny me three times.”
35“Even if I have to die with you, I'll never deny you!” Peter insisted. And all the disciples said the same thing.
36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He told them, “Sit down here while I go over there and pray.” 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him, and he began to suffer agonizing sorrow and distress. 38Then he said to them, “I am so overwhelmed with sadness that it's killing me. Wait here and keep watch with me.” 39He went a little farther forward, fell facedown, and prayed.
“My Father, please, if it's possible, let this cup of suffering be taken from me,” Jesus asked. “Even so, may it not be what I want but what you want.”
40He went back to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “What, you couldn't stay awake with me for just one hour? 41Stay awake and pray, so that you don't fall into temptation. Yes, the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” 42He went away a second time and prayed.
“My Father, if this cup cannot be taken from me without me drinking from it, then your will be done,” he said. 43He went back and found them sleeping, for they just couldn't stay awake.#26:43. Literally, “their eyes were weighed down.” 44So he left them once more, and went off and prayed a third time, repeating the same things. 45Then he returned to the disciples, and told them, “How can you still be sleeping and resting? Look, the time has come. The Son of man is about to be betrayed into the hands of sinners! 46Get up, let's go! Look, the one who's betraying me has arrived.”
47As he said this, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived with a large mob armed with swords and clubs sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. 48The betrayer had arranged to give them a signal: “The one that I kiss, that's him—arrest him,” he'd told them.
49Judas came up to Jesus immediately, and said, “Hello, Rabbi,” and kissed him.
50“My friend, do what you came to do,”#26:50. Or, “What are you doing here?” Jesus said to Judas. So they came and grabbed hold of Jesus, and arrested him.
51One of those who was with Jesus reached for his sword and pulled it out. He struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear. 52But Jesus told him, “Put your sword away. Everyone who fights with the sword will die by the sword. 53Don't you think I could ask my Father, and he'd immediately send more than twelve legions of angels? 54But then how could the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must be like this?”
55Then Jesus told the mob, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me as if I was some kind of dangerous criminal? Every day I sat in the Temple teaching and you didn't arrest me then. 56But all this is happening to fulfill what the prophets wrote.” Then all the disciples abandoned him and ran away.
57Those who'd arrested Jesus took him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the religious teachers and elders had gathered. 58Peter followed him at a distance, and went into the high priest's courtyard. He sat there with the guards to see how things would end.
59The chief priests and the whole council were trying to find some false evidence against Jesus so they could put him to death. 60But they couldn't find anything, even though many false witnesses came forward. Eventually two came forward 61and reported, “This man said, ‘I can destroy God's Temple, and rebuild it in three days.’”
62The high priest stood up and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What do you have to say in your defense?” 63But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to Jesus, “In the name of the living God I place you under oath. Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64“You said it,” Jesus replied. “And I also tell you that in the future you'll see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the Almighty, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”#26:64. See Psalms 110:1 and Daniel 7:13.
65Then the high priest tore his clothes, and said, “He's speaking blasphemy! Why do we need any witnesses? Look, now you've heard for yourselves his blasphemy! 66What's your verdict?”
“Guilty! He deserves to die!” they answered. 67Then they spat in his face and beat him. Some of them slapped him with their hands, 68and said, “Prophesy to us, you ‘Messiah’! Who just hit you?”
69Meanwhile Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came up to him, and said, “You, you were with Jesus the Galilean!” 70But he denied it in front of everyone. “I don't know what you're talking about,” he said.
71When he went back to the courtyard entrance another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72Once again he denied it, saying with an oath, “I don't know him.” 73A little while later the people standing there came up to Peter and said, “You definitely are one of them. Your accent gives you away.” 74Then he started to swear: “Curses on me if I'm a liar!#26:74. Or “he called down curses on himself.” I don't know the man!” Immediately the cock crowed.
75Then Peter remembered what Jesus had told him: “Before the cock crows, three times you will deny knowing me.” He went outside and wept bitterly.
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Matthew 26: FBV
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com
Matthew 26
26
The Plot to Kill Jesus
1When Jesus had finished this #I.e. a formal, extended teaching about important matters.discourse, He said to His disciples, 2“You know that the Passover is coming in two days, and the Son of Man is to be betrayed and handed over for crucifixion.”
3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of the [elegant home of the Jewish] high priest, whose name was #Caiaphas served as high priest a.d. 18 to 36. His father-in-law, Annas, served as high priest a.d. 6-15. Annas was removed from the position by Rome, but continued to be extremely influential and was regarded by the Jews as de facto high priest even though others (his sons and son-in-law) officially held the office. In about 1990, in an ancient burial cave outside Jerusalem, Israeli archeologists found twelve limestone ossuaries (bone boxes). One of them was uniquely elaborate and decorated with a rare and intricate pattern of rosettes. According to its inscription, this ossuary contained the bones of Caiaphas.Caiaphas, 4and plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him. 5But they said, “It must not be during the festival (Passover), otherwise there might be a riot among the people.”
The Anointing in Bethany
6Now when Jesus was [back] in Bethany, at the home of #Most likely a man previously healed by Jesus. Otherwise he would not be able to have a home among others in the city.Simon the leper, 7a #John the Apostle identifies this woman as Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus (Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8). Jesus was anointed in a similar way by an unnamed woman when He was in Galilee dining at the home of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-40).woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive #This was a thick, scented oil (nard) obtained from the root of a flowering plant grown in the Himalayas of Tibet.perfume and she poured it on Jesus’ head as He reclined at the table. 8But when the #Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, spoke first denouncing this act of devotion (John 12:4, 5).disciples saw it they were indignant and angry, saying, “Why all this waste [of money]? 9For this perfume might have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10But Jesus, aware [of the malice] of this [remark], said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? She has done a good thing to Me. 11For you always have the poor with you; but you will not always have Me. 12When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. 13I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever this gospel [of salvation] is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her [for her act of love and devotion].”
Judas’ Bargain
14Then one of the twelve [disciples], who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you?” And they weighed out #Probably about a month’s wages for a laborer.thirty pieces of silver. 16And from that moment Judas began looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus.
17Now on the first day of #This remembrance lasted eight days. The Passover lambs were selected on the tenth of Nisan (March/April) and sacrificed on the fourteenth of Nisan (the first day of the feast). The Passover meal was eaten that same night (15 Nisan). This was immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread (15-21 Nisan). The terms “Passover” and “The Feast of Unleavened Bread” were used interchangeably.Unleavened Bread (Passover Week) the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 18He said, “Go into the city to #Tradition identifies this man as Mark’s father.a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time [to suffer and atone for sin] is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.” ’ ” 19[Accordingly] the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
The Last Passover
20When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. 21And as they were eating, He said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you that one of you will betray Me.” 22Being deeply grieved and extremely distressed, each one of them began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23Jesus answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the bowl with Me [as a #In the ancient culture sharing a meal in this way was a confirmation of friendship and goodwill.pretense of friendship] will betray Me. 24The Son of Man is to go [to the cross], just as it is written [in Scripture] of Him; but woe (judgment is coming) to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.” 25And Judas, the betrayer, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “#“You” is emphatic in the Greek text.You have said it yourself.”
The Lord’s Supper Instituted
26Now as they were eating Jesus took bread, and after #The customary blessing spoken over the bread in the Passover meal was, “Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.”blessing it, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27And when He had taken a cup and #Giving thanks consisted of two benedictions, one over the wine (“Blessed are You, Lord our God, who has created the fruit of the vine!”) and one for the return of the Feast Day with all it implied, as well as being allowed once more to witness it.given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28for this is My blood of the [new and better] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many [as a #By laying his hands on the head of the sacrifice the one offering the sacrifice identified himself with it and through its death it became an atonement or covering for his sin. Because the unblemished sacrifice “covered” his sin, it placed the one offering the sacrifice in a right relationship with God, just as later under the new covenant the perfection and sacrifice of Christ would cover (atone for) the imperfection and sin of those who identified with Him and accepted Him as Savior.substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins. 29But 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.”
30After singing a #The Hallel psalms (113-118) were sung at Passover.hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
31Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night [disillusioned about Me, confused, and some even ashamed of Me], for it is written [in the Scriptures], ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32But after I am raised [to life], I will go ahead of you [leading the way] to Galilee.” 33Peter replied to Him, “Though they all fall away because of You [and doubt and disown You], I will never fall away!” 34Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this night, before a rooster crows, you will [completely] deny Me three times.” 35Peter said to Jesus, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And all the disciples said the same thing.
The Garden of Gethsemane
36Then Jesus came with them to a place called #This beautiful garden filled with now ancient olive trees still exists.Gethsemane (olive-press), and He told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John], He began to be grieved and greatly distressed. 38Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and stay awake and keep watch with Me.”
39And after going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible [that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup #Jesus’ request was heard (Heb 5:7), and it is unlikely that He asked to avoid the cross. The object of His request cannot be known with certainty, but some think that He was asking for resurrection following His death. In that case, the “cup” would represent His body’s remaining in the grave, which would be contrary to the plan of salvation and prophecy regarding His resurrection (Ps 16:10; cf Acts 2:24-27). Others think that the request related to the time of separation from the Father, which He would have to endure in death (see 27:46). However, the sense of Heb 5:7 could be that the Father listened to Him intently and comforted Him, while not sparing His Son the suffering which He had destined for Him.pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour? 41Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the #Lit flesh.body is weak.”
42He went away a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44So, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words once more. 45Then He returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Listen, #The time had come for Jesus’ atoning sacrificial death which would provide the way of salvation for believers.the hour [of My sacrifice] is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners [whose way and nature is to oppose God]. 46Get up, let us go. Look, My betrayer is near!”
Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest
47As Jesus was still speaking, Judas [Iscariot], one of the twelve [disciples], came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, [who came as representatives] from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” 49Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Greetings (rejoice), Rabbi!” And he #A kiss on either the hand or cheek was usually an act of homage and a common gesture of greeting and reverence given to a rabbi by his disciples, but done here to identify Jesus.kissed Him [in a deliberate act of betrayal]. 50Jesus said to Judas, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then they came and seized Jesus and arrested Him.
51And #John identified this “one” as Peter.one of those who were with Jesus reached out and drew his sword, and struck [Malchus] the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place; for all those who habitually draw the sword will die by the sword. 53Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will immediately provide Me with more than twelve #A legion equaled 6,000 troops.legions of angels? 54How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?”
55At that moment Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Day after day I used to sit in the porches and courts of the temple teaching, and you did not arrest Me. 56But all this has taken place so that the Scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.
Jesus before Caiaphas
57Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to #See note 26:3.Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) had gathered [#It was unlawful for a criminal court proceeding to be held at night. Further, although the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Court) was granted substantial power to act by the Roman government, the Sanhedrin could not impose the death penalty on a criminal. Court cases requesting a death penalty to be imposed by the Roman government were to be held publicly in the temple. The officials of the Sanhedrin waited until morning to announce their verdict, perhaps in a token attempt to legalize their unlawful gathering.illegally] together. 58But Peter followed Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the [elegant home of the Jewish] high priest, and went inside, and sat with the #Or servants.guards to see the outcome.
59Now the chief priests and the whole Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) tried to get false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so that they might [have a reason to] put Him to death. 60They found none, even though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward, 61and testified, “This man said, ‘#This was a distortion of Jesus’ comment (John 2:19-21).I am able to #This would amount to a capital offense.tear down the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ” 62The high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Have You no answer to give? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” 63But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I call on You to swear a binding oath by the living God, that you tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him, “You have [in fact] said it; but more than that I tell you [regardless of what you do with Me now], in the future you will see [Me revealed as] the Son of Man seated at the #The place of preeminence and authority.right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65Then the high priest tore his #Or outer garments. This was a response required by Jewish law for judges who had heard blasphemy. However, OT law forbade the high priest to tear his clothing (Lev 10:6; 21:10).robes [in mock horror] and exclaimed, “He has blasphemed [by making Himself God’s equal]! What further need have we of witnesses or evidence? See, you have now heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?” They answered, “#A statement expressing complete rejection of and contempt for the Messiah.He deserves to be put to death.”
67Then they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists; and some slapped Him, 68saying, “#Jesus was blindfolded according to Mark 14:65.Prophesy to us, You Christ (Messiah, Anointed); who was it that struck You?”
Peter’s Denials
69Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came up to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71And when he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.” 72And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them too; for even your [Galilean] accent gives you away.” 74Then he began to curse [that is, to invoke God’s judgment on himself] and swear [an oath], “I do not know the man!” And at that moment a rooster crowed. 75And Peter remembered the [prophetic] words of Jesus, when He had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly [in repentance].
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