# Overview Matthew Chapter 26 begins with [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] foretelling his imminent #crucifixion, stating that in two days, during the #Passover, he will be handed over to be crucified. This sets the stage for the unfolding of the #Passion narrative. Meanwhile, the chief priests and elders of the people gather in the palace of the high priest, #Caiaphas, plotting to arrest Jesus stealthily and kill him. The scene shifts to #Bethany, at the house of Simon the leper, where a woman anoints Jesus with costly ointment. This act foreshadows Jesus’ burial, and though some disciples express indignation over the perceived waste, Jesus defends the woman, declaring that she has done a beautiful thing and that her deed will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. Following this, #JudasIscariot agrees to betray Jesus to the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver, thus setting into motion the events leading to Jesus' arrest. The chapter progresses with the #LastSupper, where Jesus shares the #Passover meal with his disciples. During the meal, Jesus institutes the #Eucharist, breaking bread and sharing wine, symbolically representing his body and blood, establishing a new covenant. Jesus foretells #Peter's denial and predicts that all the disciples will fall away. They then go to the #MountofOlives, where Jesus prays in #Gethsemane, expressing deep anguish over his impending suffering, yet submitting to the will of the Father. Despite Jesus’ request for vigilance, the disciples repeatedly fall asleep. The chapter culminates with Judas’ betrayal, Jesus' arrest by a mob sent by the chief priests and elders, and a brief altercation where one of Jesus' followers cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus rebukes the violence, emphasizing the necessity of fulfilling the Scriptures, and willingly goes with his captors. The chapter closes with Peter denying Jesus thrice, as foretold, and he weeps bitterly upon realizing the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy. ## Theological Insights Matthew 26 presents profound theological insights, particularly regarding the themes of #betrayal, #sacrifice, #submission to God's will, and the establishment of the #NewCovenant. The chapter begins with Jesus predicting His impending crucifixion, emphasizing His role as the #PassoverLamb, whose sacrifice would bring about #redemption. This sets the stage for the unfolding events of the #Passion. Jesus' foreknowledge and acceptance of His fate highlights His submission to the Father's will, fulfilling the scriptures and prophecies concerning the #Messiah's suffering and death. The #anointing at Bethany (verses 6-13) serves as a symbolic preparation for Jesus' burial. The woman's act of devotion anticipates the sacrificial nature of Jesus' mission and underscores His worthiness, contrasting with the forthcoming betrayal by #JudasIscariot. Her actions are memorialized alongside the gospel, indicating the enduring significance of recognizing Jesus' divine purpose. The #LastSupper, where Jesus institutes the #Lord'sSupper (verses 26-29), marks a pivotal moment in the transition from the #OldCovenant to the #NewCovenant. By offering the bread and wine as His body and blood, Jesus signifies the inauguration of a new relationship between God and humanity through His atoning sacrifice. This covenant is characterized by the forgiveness of sins and the establishment of a new community of believers. In the #GardenofGethsemane (verses 36-46), Jesus' agonizing prayer reveals His humanity and His ultimate submission to the Father's will. His plea, "not as I will, but as you will," exemplifies perfect obedience and trust in God's plan, serving as a model for believers facing trials. The arrest and betrayal by Judas (verses 47-56) fulfill the prophecies of the suffering servant and highlight the treachery and abandonment Jesus faced. Despite this, He remains resolute in His mission, willingly accepting the path laid before Him. Finally, the trial before the #Sanhedrin (verses 57-68) and #Peter's denial (verses 69-75) underscore the themes of rejection and faithfulness. Jesus' silent endurance before His accusers and His affirmation of His identity as the #SonofMan affirm His divine authority and mission. In contrast, Peter's denial highlights human weakness but also sets the stage for future restoration and the power of forgiveness. Matthew 26 intricately weaves together the themes of divine sovereignty, human frailty, and the sacrificial love of Christ, culminating in the redemptive work of the #Cross. These elements lay the foundation for the unfolding of God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. ## Thematic Connections ### Betrayal and Fulfillment of Scripture In Matthew 26, the theme of #betrayal is prominent, as #Judas Iscariot's agreement to betray [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] fulfills the prophecy concerning the Messiah's suffering and rejection. This connection to prophecy is reinforced by Jesus' reference to the "one who shared my bread" from [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 41|Psalm 41:9]], indicating that even the betrayal by a close companion was foretold in the Scriptures. ### The Institution of the Lord's Supper The institution of the #Lord'sSupper during the #Passover meal in Matthew 26 highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament sacrificial themes. Jesus identifies the bread and wine as his body and blood, echoing the sacrificial language of the #OldCovenant, such as the Passover lamb in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 12]]. This establishes Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial lamb, whose blood brings about a new covenant, as prophesied in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 31|Jeremiah 31:31-34]]. ### The Garden of Gethsemane and Submission to the Father's Will Jesus' prayer in the #GardenofGethsemane reveals the theme of submission to God's will, even in the face of immense suffering. This echoes the obedience of other biblical figures such as [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 22|Abraham]]'s willingness to sacrifice Isaac and [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53|Isaiah 53]]'s suffering servant, who submits to God's plan for redemption. Jesus' resolve to do the Father's will sets a model for believers' own submission and trust in God's purposes. ### The Weakness of Human Resolve The disciples' inability to keep watch and pray with Jesus in the garden underscores the theme of human weakness and the need for divine strength. This connects to other instances where human resolve fails, yet God's purposes prevail, such as the Israelites' frequent lapses in faithfulness despite God's steadfast covenant love, as seen throughout the #OldTestament, including [[Judges/Judges Chapter 2|Judges]]. ### The Mockery of Justice The trial of Jesus before the #Sanhedrin and #Pilate highlights the theme of the miscarriage of justice. The false testimonies and unjust condemnation of Jesus mirror instances in the Old Testament where the righteous suffer unjustly, such as [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 39|Joseph]] in Egypt. This theme points to the broader biblical narrative of God's ultimate justice and vindication of the righteous, as seen in the promises throughout the Psalms and Prophets. ### Peter's Denial and Restoration Peter's denial of Jesus, despite his earlier bold promises, showcases the theme of human failure and the possibility of restoration. This theme resonates with the story of David's sin and repentance in [[2 Samuel/2 Samuel Chapter 12]], emphasizing God's grace and forgiveness. Peter's later restoration, as seen in [[John/John Chapter 21]], highlights the hope of redemption and renewal for those who falter in their faith. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Betrayal of Jesus In Matthew 26, the betrayal of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] by #JudasIscariot fulfills the prophecy found in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 41|Psalm 41:9]], where David writes, “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” Judas’ act of betrayal, after sharing the Passover meal with Jesus, is a direct fulfillment of this prophetic word, highlighting the foreseen nature of Christ’s path to the cross. ### The Thirty Pieces of Silver The prophecy from [[Zechariah/Zechariah Chapter 11|Zechariah 11:12-13]] concerning the thirty pieces of silver is fulfilled in this chapter. Judas agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave, as foretold by Zechariah. This transaction underscores the fulfillment of prophetic scripture and the rejection of the Messiah by His own people, as seen in Judas’ actions aligning with the prophetic narrative. ### The Suffering Servant Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of #Gethsemane and His subsequent arrest begin to fulfill the prophecy of the #SufferingServant in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53|Isaiah 53]]. Jesus’ willingness to submit to the Father’s will, despite the impending suffering, echoes Isaiah’s depiction of the servant who bears the iniquities of many. Matthew includes Jesus’ resolve to fulfill the scriptures, reinforcing His role as the suffering servant who will bring redemption through His sacrifice. ### The Abandonment by the Disciples The scattering of Jesus’ disciples fulfills the prophecy from [[Zechariah/Zechariah Chapter 13|Zechariah 13:7]], “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” In Matthew 26:31, Jesus tells His disciples that they will fall away on account of Him, directly citing this prophecy. The disciples’ abandonment during Jesus' arrest and trial fulfills this scriptural pre-vision, illustrating the fulfillment of God’s plan and the human frailty even among Jesus’ closest followers. ### The False Accusations and Silent Response Jesus’ silent response to false accusations before the #Sanhedrin fulfills the prophecy in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53|Isaiah 53:7]], where it is said that the suffering servant “was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth.” In Matthew 26:62-63, Jesus remains silent before His accusers, embodying the prophetic imagery of the lamb led to slaughter, signifying His role as the sacrificial lamb who takes away the sin of the world. ### The Denial of Peter Peter’s denial of Jesus three times, as foretold by Jesus in Matthew 26:34, aligns with the broader prophetic theme of human weakness and faithfulness under trial. This act resonates with the warnings and prophecies regarding the testing of faith, as seen in [[Zechariah/Zechariah Chapter 13|Zechariah 13:9]], where God speaks of refining His people through fire. Peter’s denial and subsequent repentance highlight the fulfillment of prophecy regarding the challenges faced by Jesus’ followers. ## Verses - **Matthew 26:1** - "When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples," - **Matthew 26:2** - "'As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.'" - *Note: See [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 12]] for the institution of #Passover.* - **Matthew 26:3** - "At that same time the leading priests and elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest," - *Note: #Caiaphas is also mentioned in [[John/John Chapter 18]].* - **Matthew 26:4** - "plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him." - **Matthew 26:5** - "'But not during the Passover celebration,' they agreed, 'or the people may riot.'" - **Matthew 26:6** - "Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy." - *Note: #Bethany is also mentioned in [[John/John Chapter 12]].* - **Matthew 26:7** - "While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head." - *Note: See [[Mark/Mark Chapter 14]] and [[John/John Chapter 12]] for parallel accounts.* - **Matthew 26:8** - "The disciples were indignant when they saw this. 'What a waste!' they said." - **Matthew 26:9** - "'It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.'" - **Matthew 26:10** - "But Jesus, aware of this, replied, 'Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me?'" - **Matthew 26:11** - "'You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.'" - *Note: See [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 15]] for a similar statement.* - **Matthew 26:12** - "'She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial.'" - **Matthew 26:13** - "'I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.'" - **Matthew 26:14** - "Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests" - *Note: #Judas Iscariot is also mentioned in [[John/John Chapter 13]].* - **Matthew 26:15** - "and asked, 'How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?' And they gave him thirty pieces of silver." - *Note: The thirty pieces of silver is a fulfillment of prophecy found in [[Zechariah/Zechariah Chapter 11]].* - **Matthew 26:16** - "From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus." - **Matthew 26:17** - "On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?'" - **Matthew 26:18** - "‘As you go into the city,’ he told them, ‘you will see a certain man. Tell him, “The Teacher says: My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.”’" - **Matthew 26:19** - "So the disciples did as Jesus told them and prepared the Passover meal there." - **Matthew 26:20** - "When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the twelve disciples." - **Matthew 26:21** - "While they were eating, he said, 'I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.'" - **Matthew 26:22** - "Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, 'Am I the one, Lord?'" - **Matthew 26:23** - "He replied, 'One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me.'" - **Matthew 26:24** - "'For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!'" - *Note: Reference to Scriptures can be seen in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 41]].* - **Matthew 26:25** - "Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, 'Rabbi, am I the one?' And Jesus told him, 'You have said it.'" - **Matthew 26:26** - "As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, 'Take this and eat it, for this is my body.'" - *Note: The institution of the #Lord's Supper is also found in [[1 Corinthians/1 Corinthians Chapter 11]].* - **Matthew 26:27** - "And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, 'Each of you drink from it,'" - **Matthew 26:28** - "'for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.'" - *Note: See [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 31]] for the prophecy of the new covenant.* - **Matthew 26:29** - "'Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.'" - **Matthew 26:30** - "Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives." - *Note: #Mount of Olives is also mentioned in [[Zechariah/Zechariah Chapter 14]].*