Matthew26
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these words, he said unto his disciples,
2Ye know that after two days the passover cometh, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified.
3Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas;
4and they took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.
5But they said, Not during the feast, lest a tumult arise among the people.
6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
7there came unto him a woman having an alabaster cruse of exceeding precious ointment, and she poured it upon his head, as he sat at meat.
8But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
9For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
10But Jesus perceiving it said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
11For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
12For in that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
13Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
15and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver.
16And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him unto them.
17Now on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt thou that we make ready for thee to eat the passover?
18And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Teacher saith, My time is at hand; I keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
19And the disciples did as Jesus appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
20Now when even was come, he was sitting at meat with the twelve disciples;
21and as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began to say unto him every one, Is it I, Lord?
23And he answered and said, He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
24The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.
25And Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said, Is it I, Rabbi? He saith unto him, Thou hast said.
26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins.
29But I say unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
30And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
31Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
32But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.
33But Peter answered and said unto him, If all shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended.
34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
35Peter saith unto him, Even if I must die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray.
37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and sore troubled.
38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me.
39And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42Again a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, My Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43And he came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
44And he left them again, and went away, and prayed a third time, saying again the same words.
45Then cometh he to the disciples, and saith unto 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.
46Arise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that betrayeth me.
47And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
48Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: take him.
49And straightway he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Rabbi; and kissed him.
50And Jesus said unto him, Friend, do that for which thou art come. Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
51And behold, one of them that were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.
52Then saith Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
54How then should the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
55In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and staves to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye took me not.
56But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him, and fled.
57And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.
58But Peter followed him afar off, unto the court of the high priest, and entered in, and sat with the officers, to see the end.
59Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death;
60and they found it not, though many false witnesses came. But afterward came two,
61and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
62And the high priest stood up, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God.
64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.
65Then the high priest rent his garments, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy: what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard the blasphemy:
66what think ye? They answered and said, He is worthy of death.
67Then did they spit in his face and buffet him: and some smote him with the palms of their hands,
68saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ: who is he that struck thee?
69Now Peter was sitting without in the court: and a maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilaean.
70But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
71And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.
72And again he denied with an oath, I know not the man.
73And after a little while they that stood by came and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art one of them; for thy speech maketh thee known.
74Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And straightway the cock crew.
75And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 26.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The rulers conspire against Christ. (1–5). Christ anointed at Bethany. (6–13). Judas bargains to betray Christ. (14–16). The Passover. (17–25). Christ institutes his holy supper. (26–30). He warns his disciples. (31–35). His agony in the garden. (36–46). He is betrayed. (47–56). Christ before Caiaphas. (57–68). Peter denies him. (69–75).
vv1-5
Our Lord had often told of his sufferings as at a distance, now he speaks of them as at hand. At the same time the Jewish council consulted how they might put him to death secretly. But it pleased God to defeat their intention. Jesus, the true paschal Lamb, was to be sacrificed for us at that very time, and his death and resurrection rendered public.
vv6-13
The pouring ointment upon the head of Christ was a token of the highest respect. Where there is true love in the heart to Jesus Christ, nothing will be thought too good to bestow upon him. The more Christ's servants and their services are cavilled at, the more he manifests his acceptance. This act of faith and love was so remarkable, that it would be reported, as a memorial of Mary's faith and love, to all future ages, and in all places where the gospel should be preached. This prophecy is fulfilled.
vv14-16
There were but twelve called apostles, and one of them was like a devil; surely we must never expect any society to be quite pure on this side heaven. The greater profession men make of religion, the greater opportunity they have of doing mischief, if their hearts be not right with God. Observe, that Christ's own disciple, who knew so well his doctrine and manner of his life, and was false to him, could not charge him with any thing criminal, though it would have served to justify his treachery. What did Judas want? Was not he welcome wherever his Master was? Did he not fare as Christ fared? It is not the lack, but the love of money, that is the root of all evil. After he had made that wicked bargain, Judas had time to repent, and to revoke it; but when lesser acts of dishonesty have hardened the conscience men do without hesitation that which is more shameful.
Key Words
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
τελέω (teléō): to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt)
πᾶς (pâs): all, any, every, the whole
τούτους (toútous): these (persons, as objective of verb or preposition)
λόγος (lógos): something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)
ἔπω (épō): to speak or say (by word or writing)
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
μαθητής (mathētḗs): a learner, i.e. pupil
εἴδω (eídō): used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι) and G3708 (ὁράω); properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
ὅτι (hóti): demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Cross References
Matthew 26Prophetic price of thirty pieces of silver weighed out as wages, directly fulfilled by Judas's bargain.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The prophetic basis for the betrayer dipping his hand in the dish with Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Directly quoted by Jesus: 'I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.'
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Fulfills Zechariah's prophecy of the shepherd being smote and the sheep of the flock scattering.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jesus' original statement about destroying the temple of His body, which the false witnesses twisted.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Jesus directly references the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven from Daniel's prophecy.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jesus' reference to sitting on the right hand of power points directly to this Messianic Psalm.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account of the anointing in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper.
Supported by JFB
Identifies the woman as Mary and the precious ointment as spikenard anointing Jesus' feet.
Supported by JFB
The foundational law of the Passover lamb slain on the fourteenth day of the month.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Lukan parallel for the institution of the Lord's Supper, explaining 'this is my body'.
Supported by JFB
Paul's received tradition of the Lord's Supper, echoing the words and acts of Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The blood of the covenant sprinkled by Moses, prefiguring Christ's blood of the new covenant.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The prophetic promise of the New Covenant, sealed here by Christ's blood.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account of the arrival and initial prayers in Gethsemane.
Supported by JFB
Parallels Jesus' resolve to drink the cup of suffering, rebuking Peter's sword in the garden.
Supported by JFB
Luke's account of Gethsemane highlighting the submission of Christ's will to the Father's cup.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Prophetic typology of betrayal by a familiar friend, historically fulfilled by Judas' kiss.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Prophetic fulfillment of the suffering Servant who held His peace and opened not His mouth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Prophecy of the Messiah giving His face to shame and spitting, fulfilled in the council's abuse.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Apostolic sermon identifying the gathering of rulers against Jesus as the fulfillment of Psalm 2.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Prophetic description of the kings and rulers taking counsel together against the Lord's Anointed.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Old Testament background for Jesus' statement that the poor will never cease out of the land.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account of Satan entering Judas and his covenant with the chief priests.
Supported by JFB
Matthew's own explicit reflection on the fulfillment of the thirty pieces of silver prophecy.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jesus explicitly quotes Psalm 41:9 to identify Judas as the betrayer at the table.
Supported by JFB
Jesus insists that His betrayal and arrest must happen to fulfill the Scriptures.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The angel confirms Jesus' promise to go before the disciples into Galilee after rising.
Supported by JFB
Lukan parallel of the Gethsemane prayer, highlighting submissive obedience to the Father's will.
Supported by JFB
Refers to Christ offering up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jesus accepts the cup: 'the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?'
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Doctrinal exposition of Gethsemane's maxim: the spirit and the flesh are in active conflict.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Explicitly names Peter as the swordsman and Malchus as the high priest's servant.
Supported by JFB
The foundational covenantal law establishing that shedding human blood demands retribution.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes the Sanhedrin's strategy of suborning false witnesses, later replicated against Stephen.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Fulfills David's lament that false witnesses rose up laying to his charge unknown things.
Supported by Matthew Henry