Matthew · chapter 26 of 28
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Matthew 26 begins the passion narrative: the leaders plot, a woman anoints Jesus at Bethany and Judas agrees to betray him for thirty pieces of silver. Jesus celebrates the Passover with his disciples and institutes the Lord's Supper, prays in anguish in Gethsemane, is arrested with a kiss from Judas, is tried before Caiaphas and condemned, and Peter denies him three times.
Jesus had announced his death three times, and in Matthew 26 it begins to be fulfilled. The chapter combines a friend's betrayal, Jesus' voluntary surrender, his disciples' weakness and the Son's faithfulness before the cup of suffering he must drink.
Jesus announces that in two days it will be the Passover and that the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified. The chief priests and elders gather at the house of Caiaphas and plan to arrest him by stealth. At Bethany, a woman pours a very expensive ointment on Jesus' head; the disciples are indignant, but Jesus says it prepares him for burial and that it will be remembered throughout the world. Judas Iscariot agrees with the chief priests to betray him for thirty pieces of silver.
During the Passover meal, Jesus announces that one of them will betray him, and Judas asks whether it is he; Jesus answers that it is. He takes bread and says it is his body, takes the cup and says it is his blood of the new covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. On the Mount of Olives he predicts that all will fall away because of him and that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows, though Peter insists he will not.
In Gethsemane, Jesus tells Peter, James and John that his soul is very sorrowful, even to death, and prays three times: if it is possible, let this cup pass from him, but let the Father's will be done. He finds the disciples sleeping and tells them the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Judas arrives with an armed crowd and kisses him; Jesus is arrested, tells the one defending him to put away his sword and says he could ask for more than twelve legions of angels. All the disciples flee.
Before Caiaphas, Jesus confirms that he is the Christ, the Son of God, and that they will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power. The high priest tears his robes and they declare him deserving of death. Peter, in the courtyard, denies Jesus three times; the rooster crows, he remembers his words and weeps bitterly.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Jesus says the cup is his blood of the new covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. At the Passover meal he gives his death the meaning of a sacrifice that secures forgiveness.
Jesus prays, falling on his face, that if it is possible this cup pass from him, yet the Father's will be done. It shows his true humanity in anguish and his full obedience in accepting the path of the cross.
Jesus asks the disciples to watch and pray so as not to enter into temptation, and acknowledges that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. He tenderly names human weakness and the need to depend on God.
Before the high priest, Jesus confirms that he is the Christ and declares that they will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. His answer provokes the charge of blasphemy that leads to his condemnation.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Thirty pieces of silver. — Matthew 26:14-15
Answer: That the bread was his body and the cup his blood of the new covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. — Matthew 26:26-28
Answer: That before the rooster crowed he would deny him three times. — Matthew 26:34
Answer: That, if it was possible, the cup pass from him, yet the Father's will be done. — Matthew 26:39
Answer: With a kiss. — Matthew 26:48-49
Answer: He remembered what Jesus had said, went out and wept bitterly. — Matthew 26:75
This chapter shows the surrender of Jesus and the fragility of his friends. In a small group you can remember that the Lord's Supper invites us to look at the cross with gratitude, and that the Lord receives us even when we have failed like Peter. Peter's repentance is a way back.
The prayer in Gethsemane teaches that one can be honest with God about pain and at the same time surrender one's will. Ask what difficult cup you face today and how you can pray with the attitude of Jesus: not as I will, but as you will.
Matthew 26 shows Jesus giving himself voluntarily, betrayed, abandoned and condemned, while fulfilling the Scriptures. In chapter 27 the story continues: the trial before Pilate, the crucifixion, the death and the burial of Jesus.
Jesus does not despise the poor, and his words echo what the law taught about helping them. He defends the woman because she has done a good work at the unique moment of his burial, and the disciples will always have the opportunity to help the poor.
Jesus connects the cup with the blood of the covenant at Sinai and with Jeremiah's promise of a new covenant with forgiveness of sins. Christians celebrate it in remembrance of Jesus and as a sign of communion with him, though they differ on how to understand its significance.
A Roman legion could number thousands of soldiers, so Jesus shows that he is not helpless. His arrest is voluntary and part of God's plan foretold in the Scriptures. He gives himself out of love and obedience, not for lack of power.