Matthew 26
26
The Plot to Kill Jesus
1When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2#For ver. 2-5, see Mark 14:1, 2; Luke 22:1, 2 “You know that after two days #See John 6:4 the Passover is coming, and #ver. 24 the Son of Man #See ch. 20:18, 19will be delivered up to be crucified.”
3 # [Ps. 2:2; John 11:47; Acts 4:27] Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in #ver. 58, 69; Luke 11:21; John 18:15; [Rev. 11:2] the palace of the high priest, whose name was #ver. 57; Luke 3:2; John 11:49; 18:13; Acts 4:6Caiaphas, 4#John 11:53; See ch. 21:46and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5But they said, “Not during the feast, #ch. 27:24lest there be an uproar among the people.”
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6 # For ver. 6-13, see Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8; [Luke 7:37-39] Now when Jesus was at #ch. 21:17; John 11:18Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,#26:6 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 7a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9For this could have been sold for a large sum and #[John 13:29]given to the poor.” 10But #ch. 16:8Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11For #Deut. 15:11 you always have the poor with you, but #ch. 9:15; See John 7:33you will not always have me. 12In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it #John 19:40to prepare me for burial. 13Truly, I say to you, wherever #[ch. 24:14] this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told #Acts 10:4in memory of her.”
Judas to Betray Jesus
14 # For ver. 14-16, see Mark 14:10, 11; Luke 22:3-6; [John 13:2, 27, 30] Then one of the twelve, whose name was #ch. 10:4; 27:3; Acts 1:16; [John 6:71; 12:4]Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they #Zech. 11:12; [Gen. 23:16; Jer. 32:9] paid him #ch. 27:3, 9; Ex. 21:32thirty pieces of silver. 16And from that moment he sought an opportunity #See ch. 20:18, 19to betray him.
The Passover with the Disciples
17 # For ver. 17-19, see Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13 Now on #Ex. 12:18the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, #See John 11:28 ‘The Teacher says, #[ver. 45; John 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20; 13:1; 17:1]My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 # For ver. 20-24, see Mark 14:17-21; [Luke 22:14, 21-23; John 13:21-26] When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.#26:20 Some manuscripts add disciples 21And as they were eating, #[John 6:70, 71]he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23He answered, #[John 13:18]“He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24The Son of Man goes #ver. 54, 56; Mark 9:12; Luke 18:31; 24:25-27, 46; Acts 17:2, 3; 26:22, 23; 1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Pet. 1:10, 11 as it is written of him, but #ch. 18:7 woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! #John 17:12It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, #ver. 49; See John 1:38 Rabbi?” He said to him, #ver. 64; See Luke 22:70“You have said so.”
Institution of the Lord’s Supper
26 # For ver. 26-29, see Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:18-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-25 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and #See ch. 14:19 after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; #1 Cor. 10:16; [John 6:53]this is my body.” 27And he took a cup, and when he #See ch. 15:36had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28for #[See ver. 26 above] this is my #Ex. 24:8; [Zech. 9:11; Heb. 13:20] blood of the#26:28 Some manuscripts insert new covenant, which is poured out for #See ch. 20:28 many #Mark 1:4; [Luke 1:77]for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you #[ch. 13:43]in my Father’s kingdom.”
Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
30 # For ver. 30-35, see Mark 14:26-31 And when they had sung a hymn, #Luke 22:39; John 18:1 they went out to #See ch. 21:1the Mount of Olives. 31Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will #Cited from Zech. 13:7; [John 16:32]strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32But after I am raised up, #ch. 28:7, 10, 16; Mark 16:7I will go before you to Galilee.” 33#[Luke 22:31, 33]Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34#Luke 22:34; John 13:38 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, #ver. 75before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35#Luke 22:33; John 13:37Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 # For ver. 36-46, see Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46 Then Jesus went with them #[See ver. 30 above]to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37And taking with him #ch. 17:1 Peter and #ch. 4:21the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, #[Ps. 42:5, 6; John 12:27] “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and #See ch. 24:42watch#26:38 Or keep awake; also verses 40, 41 with me.” 39And going a little farther he fell on his face #Heb. 5:7 and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let #See ch. 20:22 this cup pass from me; #ver. 42; John 5:30; 6:38; Phil. 2:8nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41#[See ver. 38 above] Watch and #1 Pet. 4:7 pray that you #ch. 6:13may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, #ver. 39; See ch. 6:10your will be done.” 43And again he came and found them sleeping, for #Luke 9:32their eyes were heavy. 44So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for #[2 Cor. 12:8]the third time, saying the same words again. 45Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.#26:45 Or Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, #John 12:23, 27; 13:1; 17:1; [ver. 18; Luke 22:53] the hour is at hand, and #ch. 17:22; 20:18the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 # For ver. 47-56, see Mark 14:43-50; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:3-11 While he was still speaking, #ver. 14; Acts 1:16Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, #ver. 25Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50Jesus said to him, #ch. 20:13; 22:12 “Friend, #[John 13:27]do what you came to do.”#26:50 Or Friend, why are you here? Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his #[Luke 22:38]sword and struck the servant#26:51 Or bondservant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For #Rev. 13:10; [Gen. 9:6; Ezek. 35:6]all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53#[John 10:18] Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me #[ch. 4:11; 2 Kgs. 6:17; Dan. 7:10; Luke 22:43; John 18:36] more than twelve #Luke 8:30legions of angels? 54#See ver. 24; ch. 1:22But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day #[John 8:2]; [Luke 2:46; John 18:20] I sat in the temple #ch. 21:23; [ch. 4:23]teaching, and you did not seize me. 56But #[See ver. 54] all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” #ver. 31; [Ps. 88:8, 18; John 16:32]Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council
57 #
Luke 22:54 Then #For ver. 57-68, see Mark 14:53-65; [John 18:12, 13, 19-24] those who had seized Jesus led him to #ver. 3Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58And #[John 18:15] Peter was following him at a distance, as far as #[See ver. 57 above] the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with #John 7:32; 18:3the guards to see the end. 59Now the chief priests and the whole council#26:59 Greek Sanhedrin #See Acts 6:11were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60but they found none, #Ps. 27:12; 35:11 though many false witnesses came forward. At last #Deut. 19:15two came forward 61and said, “This man said, #[Acts 6:14]; See John 2:19 ‘I am able to #ch. 27:40destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”#26:62 Or Have you no answer to what these men testify against you? 63#ch. 27:12, 14; Isa. 53:7; John 19:9 But Jesus remained silent. #For ver. 63-66, [Luke 22:67-71] And the high priest said to him, #[Lev. 5:1; 1 Sam. 14:24, 26; Mark 5:7] “I adjure you by #See ch. 16:16 the living God, #John 10:24 tell us if you are #[ch. 22:42-45]; See ch. 1:17 the Christ, #See ch. 14:33the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him, #ver. 25 “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on #See ch. 16:27; 24:30 you will see the Son of Man #Ps. 110:1; Heb. 1:3; [Mark 16:19]seated at the right hand of Power and #See ch. 16:27; 24:30 coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65Then the high priest #Num. 14:6; Acts 14:14 tore his robes and said, #ch. 9:3; John 10:36“He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66What is your judgment?” They answered, #See Lev. 24:16“He deserves death.” 67Then #ch. 27:30; Isa. 50:6; Mark 10:34 they spit in his face #[Luke 22:63-65; John 18:22] and #ch. 5:39; Acts 23:2struck him. And some slapped him, 68saying, “Prophesy to us, you #ver. 63Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
Peter Denies Jesus
69 # For ver. 69-75, see Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:55-62; John 18:16-18, 25-27 Now Peter was sitting outside #ver. 3in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus #ch. 2:23of Nazareth.” 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, “Certainly you too are one of them, for #[Judg. 12:6]your accent betrays you.” 74Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, #ver. 34 “Before the rooster crows, you will #[Acts 3:13, 14]deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
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Matthew 26: ESV
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Matthew 26
26
The Conspiracy Against Jesus. 1#26:1–28:20] The five books with alternating narrative and discourse (Mt 3:1–25:46) that give this gospel its distinctive structure lead up to the climactic events that are the center of Christian belief and the origin of the Christian church, the passion and resurrection of Jesus. In his passion narrative (Mt 26 and 27) Matthew follows his Marcan source closely but with omissions (e.g., Mk 14:51–52) and additions (e.g., Mt 27:3–10, 19). Some of the additions indicate that he utilized traditions that he had received from elsewhere; others are due to his own theological insight (e.g., Mt 26:28 “…for the forgiveness of sins”; Mt 27:52). In his editing Matthew also altered Mark in some minor details. But there is no need to suppose that he knew any passion narrative other than Mark’s. When Jesus finished all these words,#When Jesus finished all these words: see note on Mt 7:28–29. “You know…crucified”: Matthew turns Mark’s statement of the time (Mk 14:1) into Jesus’ final prediction of his passion. Passover: see note on Mk 14:1. he said to his disciples, 2#Mk 14:1–2; Lk 22:1–2. “You know that in two days’ time it will be Passover, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” 3#Caiaphas was high priest from A.D. 18 to 36. Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4#Jn 11:47–53. and they consulted together to arrest Jesus by treachery and put him to death. 5But they said, “Not during the festival,#Not during the festival: the plan to delay Jesus’ arrest and execution until after the festival was not carried out, for according to the synoptics he was arrested on the night of Nisan 14 and put to death the following day. No reason is given why the plan was changed. that there may not be a riot among the people.”
The Anointing at Bethany.#See notes on Mk 14:3–9 and Jn 12:1–8. 6#Mk 14:3–9; Jn 12:1–8. Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and poured it on his head while he was reclining at table. 8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and said, “Why this waste? 9It could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor.” 10Since Jesus knew this, he said to them, “Why do you make trouble for the woman? She has done a good thing for me. 11#Dt 15:11. The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me. 12#To prepare me for burial: cf. Mk 14:8. In accordance with the interpretation of this act as Jesus’ burial anointing, Matthew, more consistent than Mark, changes the purpose of the visit of the women to Jesus’ tomb; they do not go to anoint him (Mk 16:1) but “to see the tomb” (Mt 28:1). In pouring this perfumed oil upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be spoken of, in memory of her.”
The Betrayal by Judas. 14#Mk 14:10–11; Lk 22:3–6. Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot,#Iscariot: see note on Lk 6:16. went to the chief priests 15#The motive of avarice is introduced by Judas’s question about the price for betrayal, which is absent in the Marcan source (Mk 14:10–11). Hand him over: the same Greek verb is used to express the saving purpose of God by which Jesus is handed over to death (cf. Mt 17:22; 20:18; 26:2) and the human malice that hands him over. Thirty pieces of silver: the price of the betrayal is found only in Matthew. It is derived from Zec 11:12 where it is the wages paid to the rejected shepherd, a cheap price (Zec 11:13). That amount is also the compensation paid to one whose slave has been gored by an ox (Ex 21:32). #Zec 11:12. and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, 16and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.
Preparations for the Passover. 17#Mk 14:12–21; Lk 22:7–23. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,#The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread: see note on Mk 14:1. Matthew omits Mark’s “when they sacrificed the Passover lamb.” the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”#Ex 12:14–20. 18#By omitting much of Mk 14:13–15, adding My appointed time draws near, and turning the question into a statement, in your house I shall celebrate the Passover, Matthew has given this passage a solemnity and majesty greater than that of his source. He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”’” 19The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.
The Betrayer. 20When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. 21And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”#Given Matthew’s interest in the fulfillment of the Old Testament, it is curious that he omits the Marcan designation of Jesus’ betrayer as “one who is eating with me” (Mk 14:18), since that is probably an allusion to Ps 41:10. However, the shocking fact that the betrayer is one who shares table fellowship with Jesus is emphasized in Mt 26:23. 22Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” 23He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. 24#It would be better…born: the enormity of the deed is such that it would be better not to exist than to do it. #Is 53:8–10. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” 25#Peculiar to Matthew. You have said so: cf. Mt 26:64; 27:11. This is a half-affirmative. Emphasis is laid on the pronoun and the answer implies that the statement would not have been made if the question had not been asked. Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”
The Lord’s Supper. 26#See note on Mk 14:22–24. The Marcan-Matthean is one of the two major New Testament traditions of the words of Jesus when instituting the Eucharist. The other (and earlier) is the Pauline-Lucan (1 Cor 11:23–25; Lk 22:19–20). Each shows the influence of Christian liturgical usage, but the Marcan-Matthean is more developed in that regard than the Pauline-Lucan. The words over the bread and cup succeed each other without the intervening meal mentioned in 1 Cor 11:25; Lk 22:20; and there is parallelism between the consecratory words (this is my body…this is my blood). Matthew follows Mark closely but with some changes. #Mk 14:22–26; Lk 22:14–23; 1 Cor 11:23–25. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.”#See note on Mt 14:19. Said the blessing: a prayer blessing God. Take and eat: literally, Take, eat. Eat is an addition to Mark’s “take it” (literally, “take”; Mk 14:22). This is my body: the bread is identified with Jesus himself. #1 Cor 10:16. 27Then he took a cup, gave thanks,#Gave thanks: see note on Mt 15:36. Gave it to them…all of you: cf. Mk 14:23–24. In the Marcan sequence the disciples drink and then Jesus says the interpretative words. Matthew has changed this into a command to drink followed by those words. My blood: see Lv 17:11 for the concept that the blood is “the seat of life” and that when placed on the altar it “makes atonement.” Which will be shed: the present participle, “being shed” or “going to be shed,” is future in relation to the Last Supper. On behalf of: Greek peri; see note on Mk 14:24. Many: see note on Mt 20:28. For the forgiveness of sins: a Matthean addition. The same phrase occurs in Mk 1:4 in connection with John’s baptism but Matthew avoids it there (Mt 3:11). He places it here probably because he wishes to emphasize that it is the sacrificial death of Jesus that brings forgiveness of sins. and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, 28#Ex 24:8; Is 53:12. for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. 29#Although his death will interrupt the table fellowship he has had with the disciples, Jesus confidently predicts his vindication by God and a new table fellowship with them at the banquet of the kingdom. I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.” 30#See note on Mk 14:26. Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Peter’s Denial Foretold. 31#Mk 14:7–31. Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken,#Will have…shaken: literally, “will be scandalized in me”; see note on Mt 24:9–12. I will strike…dispersed: cf. Zec 13:7. for it is written:#Zec 13:7; Jn 16:32.
‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed’;
32but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” 33Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” 34#Before the cock crows: see note on Mt 14:25. The third watch of the night was called “cockcrow.” Deny me: see note on Mt 16:24. #Lk 22:33–34; Jn 13:37–38. Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”#26:69–75. 35Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke likewise.
The Agony in the Garden. 36#Cf. Mk 14:32–52. The account of Jesus in Gethsemane is divided between that of his agony (Mt 26:36–46) and that of his betrayal and arrest (Mt 26:47–56). Jesus’ sorrow and distress (Mt 26:37) in face of death is unrelieved by the presence of his three disciples who, though urged to watch with him (Mt 26:38, 41), fall asleep (Mt 26:40, 43). He prays that if…possible his death may be avoided (Mt 26:39) but that his Father’s will be done (Mt 26:39, 42, 44). Knowing then that his death must take place, he announces to his companions that the hour for his being handed over has come (Mt 26:45). Judas arrives with an armed band provided by the Sanhedrin and greets Jesus with a kiss, the prearranged sign for his identification (Mt 26:47–49). After his arrest, he rebukes a disciple who has attacked the high priest’s servant with a sword (Mt 26:51–54), and chides those who have come out to seize him with swords and clubs as if he were a robber (Mt 26:55–56). In both rebukes Jesus declares that the treatment he is now receiving is the fulfillment of the scriptures (Mt 26:55, 56). The subsequent flight of all the disciples is itself the fulfillment of his own prediction (cf. 31). In this episode, Matthew follows Mark with a few alterations. #Mk 14:32–42; Lk 22:39–46. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane,#Gethsemane: the Hebrew name means “oil press” and designates an olive orchard on the western slope of the Mount of Olives; see note on Mt 21:1. The name appears only in Matthew and Mark. The place is called a “garden” in Jn 18:1. and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”#Jn 18:1. 37#Heb 5:7. He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,#Peter and the two sons of Zebedee: cf. Mt 17:1. and began to feel sorrow and distress. 38#Ps 42:6, 12; Jon 4:9. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death.#Cf. Ps 42:6, 12. In the Septuagint (Ps 41:5, 12) the same Greek word for sorrowful is used as here. To death: i.e., “enough to die”; cf. Jon 4:9. Remain here and keep watch with me.” 39#Jn 4:34; 6:38; Phil 2:8. He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father,#My Father: see note on Mk 14:36. Matthew omits the Aramaic ’abbā’ and adds the qualifier my. This cup: see note on Mk 10:38–40. if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” 40When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? 41Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.#Undergo the test: see note on Mt 6:13. In that verse “the final test” translates the same Greek word as is here translated the test, and these are the only instances of the use of that word in Matthew. It is possible that the passion of Jesus is seen here as an anticipation of the great tribulation that will precede the parousia (see notes on Mt 24:8; 24:21) to which Mt 6:13 refers, and that just as Jesus prays to be delivered from death (Mt 26:39), so he exhorts the disciples to pray that they will not have to undergo the great test that his passion would be for them. Some scholars, however, understand not undergo (literally, “not enter”) the test as meaning not that the disciples may be spared the test but that they may not yield to the temptation of falling away from Jesus because of his passion even though they will have to endure it. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42#Your will be done: cf. Mt 6:10. #6:10; Heb 10:9. Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” 43Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. 44He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. 45#Jn 12:23; 13:1; 17:1. Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. 46Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus. 47#Mk 14:43–50; Lk 22:47–53; Jn 18:3–11. While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him.” 49Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!”#Rabbi: see note on Mt 23:6–7. Jesus is so addressed twice in Matthew (Mt 26:25), both times by Judas. For the significance of the closely related address “teacher” in Matthew, see note on Mt 8:19. and he kissed him. 50Jesus answered him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. 51And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus put his hand to his sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? 54But then how would the scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?” 55#Day after day…arrest me: cf. Mk 14:49. This suggests that Jesus had taught for a relatively long period in Jerusalem, whereas Mt 21:1–11 puts his coming to the city for the first time only a few days before. At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me. 56#26:31. But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin.#Following Mk 14:53–65 Matthew presents the nighttime appearance of Jesus before the Sanhedrin as a real trial. After many false witnesses bring charges against him that do not suffice for the death sentence (Mt 26:60), two came forward who charge him with claiming to be able to destroy the temple…and within three days to rebuild it (Mt 26:60–61). Jesus makes no answer even when challenged to do so by the high priest, who then orders him to declare under oath…whether he is the Messiah, the Son of God (Mt 26:62–63). Matthew changes Mark’s clear affirmative response (Mk 14:62) to the same one as that given to Judas (Mt 26:25), but follows Mark almost verbatim in Jesus’ predicting that his judges will see him (the Son of Man) seated at the right hand of God and coming on the clouds of heaven (Mt 26:64). The high priest then charges him with blasphemy (Mt 26:65), a charge with which the other members of the Sanhedrin agree by declaring that he deserves to die (Mt 26:66). They then attack him (Mt 26:67) and mockingly demand that he prophesy (Mt 26:68). This account contains elements that are contrary to the judicial procedures prescribed in the Mishnah, the Jewish code of law that dates in written form from ca. A.D. 200, e.g., trial on a feast day, a night session of the court, pronouncement of a verdict of condemnation at the same session at which testimony was received. Consequently, some scholars regard the account entirely as a creation of the early Christians without historical value. However, it is disputable whether the norms found in the Mishnah were in force at the time of Jesus. More to the point is the question whether the Matthean-Marcan night trial derives from a combination of two separate incidents, a nighttime preliminary investigation (cf. Jn 18:13, 19–24) and a formal trial on the following morning (cf. Lk 22:66–71). 57#Mk 14:53–65; Lk 22:54–55, 63–71; Jn 18:12–14, 19–24. Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas#Caiaphas: see note on Mt 26:3. the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58Peter was following him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard, and going inside he sat down with the servants to see the outcome. 59The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin#Sanhedrin: see note on Lk 22:66. kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, 60#Dt 19:15; Jn 2:19; Acts 6:14. but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two#Two: cf. Dt 19:15. I can destroy…rebuild it: there are significant differences from the Marcan parallel (Mk 14:58). Matthew omits “made with hands” and “not made with hands” and changes Mark’s “will destroy” and “will build another” to can destroy and (can) rebuild. The charge is probably based on Jesus’ prediction of the temple’s destruction; see notes on Mt 23:37–39; 24:2; and Jn 2:19. A similar prediction by Jeremiah was considered as deserving death; cf. Jer 7:1–15; 26:1–8. came forward 61who stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the temple of God and within three days rebuild it.’” 62The high priest rose and addressed him, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?” 63#Is 53:7. But Jesus was silent.#Silent: possibly an allusion to Is 53:7. I order you…living God: peculiar to Matthew; cf. Mk 14:61. Then the high priest said to him, “I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64#Ps 110:1; Dn 7:13. Jesus said to him in reply, “You have said so.#You have said so: see note on Mt 26:25. From now on…heaven: the Son of Man who is to be crucified (cf. Mt 20:19) will be seen in glorious majesty (cf. Ps 110:1) and coming on the clouds of heaven (cf. Dn 7:13). The Power: see note on Mk 14:61–62. But I tell you:
From now on you will see ‘the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power’
and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.’”
65Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed!#Blasphemed: the punishment for blasphemy was death by stoning (see Lv 24:10–16). According to the Mishnah, to be guilty of blasphemy one had to pronounce “the Name itself,” i.e., Yahweh; cf. Sanhedrin 7:4, 5. Those who judge the gospel accounts of Jesus’ trial by the later Mishnah standards point out that Jesus uses the surrogate “the Power,” and hence no Jewish court would have regarded him as guilty of blasphemy; others hold that the Mishnah’s narrow understanding of blasphemy was a later development. What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy; 66what is your opinion?” They said in reply, “He deserves to die!” 67#The physical abuse, apparently done to Jesus by the members of the Sanhedrin themselves, recalls the sufferings of the Isaian Servant of the Lord; cf. Is 50:6. The mocking challenge to prophesy is probably motivated by Jesus’ prediction of his future glory (Mt 26:64). #Wis 2:19; Is 50:6. Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him, 68saying, “Prophesy for us, Messiah: who is it that struck you?”
Peter’s Denial of Jesus. 69#Mk 14:66–72; Lk 22:56–62; Jn 18:17–18, 25–27. Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70#Denied it in front of everyone: see Mt 10:33. Peter’s repentance (Mt 26:75) saves him from the fearful destiny of which Jesus speaks there. But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” 71As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.” 72Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!” 73#Your speech…away: Matthew explicates Mark’s “you too are a Galilean” (Mk 14:70). A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.” 74At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed. 75#26:34. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly.
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Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc