Matthew Chapter 26

From The Open Bible Project

26:1 It happened, when Jesus had finished all these words, that he said to his disciples,

• (1) Christ witnesses by his going to death voluntarily, that he will make full satisfaction for the sin of Adam by his obedience.

26:2 "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."

• (2) God himself and not man appoints the time that Christ should be crucified.

26:3 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas.

26:4 They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit, and kill him.

26:5 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people."

• (a) By the word "feast" is meant the whole feast of unleavened bread: the first and eighth day of which were so holy that they were not allowed to do any work on it, though the whole company of the Sanhedrin determined otherwise: And yet it came to pass through God’s providence, that Christ suffered at that time, so that all the people of Israel might be witnesses of his everlasting sacrifice.

26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

• (3) By this sudden work of a sinful woman, Christ helps the guests to understand about his death and burial which was near: the gracious result of which will bring life to all sinners who flee unto him. But Judas takes an occasion here to accomplish his wicked purpose and plan.

26:7 a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table.

• (b) For these things were done before Christ came to Jerusalem: and yet some think that the evangelists have two differing accounts.
• (c) These boxes were of alabaster, which in ancient times men made hollow to put in ointments: for some write that alabaster keeps ointment without changing it in any way; Pliny, book 13, chap. 1.

26:8 But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?

• (d) This is a figure of speech called synecdoche: for it is said that only Judas was moved at this; (John 12:4).
• (e) Unprofitable spending.

26:9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor."

26:10 However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? Because she has done a good work for me.

• (4) We ought not to rashly condemn that which is not orderly done.

26:11 For you always have the poor with you; but you don't always have me.

• (5) Christ, who was once anointed in his own person, must always be anointed in the poor.

26:12 For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

• (f) In that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to bury me.

26:13 Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her."

26:14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests,

26:15 and said, "What are you willing to give me, that I should deliver him to you?" They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver.

26:16 From that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

26:17 Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?"

• (6) Christ purposing to bring us into our country without delay and so, to pay the penalty of the law, truly fulfils the law, omitting the contrary tradition and custom of the Jews: and thus shows that all things will so come to pass by the ministry of men as governed by the secret plan of God.
• (g) This was the fourteenth day of the first month: now the first day of unleavened bread should have been the fifteenth, but because the evening of this day (which after the manner of the Romans was referred to the day before) belonged by the Jews’ manner to the day following, therefore it is called the first day of unleavened bread.

26:18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples."'"

26:19 The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.

26:20 Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.

• (h) Because the Law appointed them to be wearing footwear, and to have their staffs in their hands, as though they were is haste, therefore it is to be gathered that they did not sit down when they ate the Passover, but stood, for normally when they went to eat they took off their shoes: therefore he speaks here in this place, not of the Passover, but of the supper which was celebrated after the Passover was solemnly done.

26:21 As they were eating, he said, "Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me."

26:22 They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, "It isn't me, is it, Lord?"

26:23 He answered, "He who dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me.

• (i) That is to say, he whom I invited to come to my table, alluding in this to (Psalms 41:9), which is not to be understood as though just as the Lord spoke these words Judas had his hand in the dish (for that would have been an undoubted sign) but it refers to his tabling and eating with him.

26:24 The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born."

26:25 Judas, who betrayed him, answered, "It isn't me, is it, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You said it."

• (k) Who was thinking of nothing else but to betray him.

26:26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, [122>]gave thanks for[<122] it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."

• (7) Christ who will without delay fulfil the promises of the old covenant, institutes a new covenant with new signs.
• (l) Mark says, "Had given thanks": and therefore blessing is not a consecrating with a conjuring type of murmuring and power of words: and yet the bread and the wine are changed, not in nature but in quality, for without doubt they become tokens of the body and blood of Christ, not of their own nature or force of words, but by Christ his institution, which must be recited and laid forth, that faith may find what to lay hold on, both in the word and in the elements.

(m) This is a figure of speech which is called metonymy: that is to say, the giving of one name for another: so he calls the bread his body, which is the sign and sacrament of his body: and yet nonetheless, it is a figurative and changed kind of speech meaning that the faithful do indeed receive Christ with all his gifts (though by a spiritual means) and become one with him.

26:27 He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, "All of you drink it,

• (n) Therefore they who took away the cup from the people, disobeyed the instruction of Christ.

26:28 for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.

• (o) That is, this cup or wine is my blood sacramentally, as in See "Lu.
• (p) Or covenant, that is to say, by which the new league and covenant is made, for in the making of leagues they used the pouring of wine and shedding of blood.

26:29 But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's Kingdom."

26:30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

• (q) When they had made an end of their solemn singing, which some think was six Psalms, (Psalms 112:1; Psalms 117:2).

26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'[123]

• (8) Christ, here taking more care of his disciples than of himself, forewarns them of their falling away, and provides them with some comfort.

26:32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."

26:33 But Peter answered him, "Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble."

26:34 Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."

26:35 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you." All of the disciples also said likewise.

26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go there and pray."

• (9) Christ having regard to the weakness of his disciples, leaves all the rest in safety, and takes with him but three to be witnesses of his anguish, and goes on purpose into the place where he would be betrayed.

26:37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled.

• (r) The word which he uses signifies great sorrow, and tremendous and deadly grief: this thing, as it indicates man’s true nature, which shuns death as a thing that entered in against nature, shows that though Christ was void of sin, yet he sustained this horrible punishment, because he felt the wrath of God kindled against us for sins, which he revenged and punished in his person.

26:38 Then he said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch with me."

• (10) Christ, a true man, who is about to suffer the punishment which we should have suffered for forsaking God, is forsaken by his own: he has a terrible conflict with the horror and fear of the curse of God: out of which he, since he escaped as a conqueror, causes us not to be afraid of death any more.

26:39 He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire."

• (s) Let it pass me, and not touch me.
• (t) That is, which is at hand, and is offered and prepared for me: an idiom which the Hebrews use for the wrath of God, and the punishment he sends. See Matthew 20:22.

26:40 He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What, couldn't you watch with me for one hour?

• (11) An example of the carelessness of man.

26:41 Watch and pray, that you don't enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

26:42 Again, a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cup can't pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done."

26:43 He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

26:44 He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words.

26:45 Then he came to his disciples, and said to them, "Sleep on now, and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

26:46 Arise, let's be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand."

• (12) Christ offers himself willingly to be taken, that in so obeying willingly he might make satisfaction for the wilful fall of man.

26:47 While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priest and elders of the people.

• (u) Sent from the high Priests.

26:48 Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, "Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him."

26:49 Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed him.

26:50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

• (13) Christ is taken, that we might be delivered.
• (x) Christ reprehends Judas tauntingly, and rebukes him sharply, for he knew well enough why he came.

26:51 Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.

26:52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.

• (14) Our vocation must govern our zeal.
• (y) They take the sword to whom the Lord has not given it, that is to say, they who use the sword and are not called to it.

26:53 Or do you think that I couldn't ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?

• (15) Christ was taken because he was willing to be taken.

26:54 How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?"

• (z) By this questioning he answers a sly objection, for they might have asked him why he did not in this his great extremity of danger call to his Father for aid: but to this objection he answers by this question.

26:55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn't arrest me.

26:56 But all this has happened, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him, and fled.

26:57 Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.

• (16) Christ being innocent is condemned by the high Priest for that wickedness of which we are guilty.
• (a) From Annas to Caiaphas, before whom the multitude was assembled; (John 18:13).

26:58 But Peter followed him from a distance, to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, to see the end.

• (b) The word used here properly denotes an open large room in the front of a house, as we see in kings’ palaces and noblemen’s houses: we call it a court, for it is open to the air, and by the use of synecdoche, is understood to mean the house itself.

26:59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death;

26:60 and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward,

26:61 and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.'"

26:62 The high priest stood up, and said to him, "Have you no answer? What is this that these testify against you?"

• (c) How does it come to pass that these men witness against thee?

26:63 But Jesus held his peace. The high priest answered him, "I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God."

26:64 Jesus said to him, "You have said it. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky."

• (d) This word distinguishes his first coming from the latter.
• (e) Sitting with God in like and equal honour at the right hand of his power, that is, in greatest power: for the right hand signifies among the Hebrews that which is mighty and of great power.
• (f) Clouds of heaven; see above in (Matthew 24:30).

26:65 Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy.

• (g) This was a peculiar custom among the Jews: for so were they bound to do when they heard any Israelite blaspheme God, and it was a tradition of their talmud in the book of the magistrates, in the title, of the four kinds of death.

26:66 What do you think?" They answered, "He is worthy of death!"

26:67 Then they spit in his face and beat him with their fists, and some slapped him,

26:68 saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who hit you?"

26:69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, "You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!"

• (17) Peter by the wonderful providence of God, in being appointed to be a witness of all these things, is prepared to be an example of outstanding faithfulness through this experience of unbelief.
• (h) That is, outside the place where the bishop sat, but not outside of the house, for afterward he went from there into the porch.

26:70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I don't know what you are talking about."

26:71 When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him, and said to those who were there, "This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth."

26:72 Again he denied it with an oath, "I don't know the man."

26:73 After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, "Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known."

26:74 Then he began to curse and to swear, "I don't know the man!" Immediately the rooster crowed.

• (i) He swore and cursed himself.

26:75 Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and wept bitterly.