Study Content

The chapter begins with Jesus finishing His teaching and announcing something very direct to His disciples.

He tells them that the Passover is approaching and that the Son of Man will be delivered to be crucified.

Passover commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt when the blood of the lamb protected the people from judgment. Matthew intentionally places this moment alongside Jesus’ approaching death to reveal that He Himself will become the true Passover Lamb.

Meanwhile, the chief priests and elders gather in the palace of the high priest named Caiaphas.

They are plotting how to arrest Jesus secretly and kill Him. Yet they also fear the reaction of the people, showing that their concern is political stability rather than truth.

Matthew then shifts the scene to Bethany, where Jesus is in the house of Simon the leper.

During the meal, a woman approaches Jesus carrying an alabaster jar filled with very costly ointment. Alabaster containers were often used for storing valuable perfumes.

She pours the ointment on Jesus’ head.

The disciples become indignant and argue that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor.

Yet Jesus interprets the moment differently.

He explains that the woman has performed a beautiful act. In pouring out the ointment, she is preparing His body for burial.

The Greek word translated as beautiful is kalos, meaning something noble, honorable, and worthy.

Jesus then says that wherever the Gospel is preached, this act will be remembered.

Her action becomes a symbol of devotion that recognizes the moment even when others do not fully understand it.

Immediately after this moment, Matthew introduces the opposite response.

Judas Iscariot goes to the chief priests and asks what they will give him if he delivers Jesus to them.

They offer him thirty pieces of silver.

This amount echoes the price of a slave mentioned in the Law. The irony is powerful. The One who holds authority over heaven and earth is valued at the price of a servant.

From that moment Judas begins looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Matthew then describes the preparation for the Passover meal.

Jesus sends two disciples to prepare the place where they will celebrate the meal together.

During the meal Jesus reveals that one of the disciples will betray Him.

Each disciple begins asking, “Lord, is it I?”

The question reveals a moment of self-examination among them.

Jesus indicates that the betrayer is the one who dips his hand with Him in the dish.

He then speaks solemnly about the consequences awaiting the one who betrays the Son of Man.

Yet even Judas asks, “Master, is it I?”

Jesus answers quietly, “Thou hast said.”

During the meal Jesus then takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to the disciples.

He tells them to eat because it represents His body.

He then takes the cup and gives thanks, saying that the wine represents His blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

The word covenant reflects the Greek diathēkē, meaning a binding agreement or testament.

This moment establishes what later becomes known as the Lord’s Supper.

The bread and cup become enduring symbols of Christ’s sacrifice and the new covenant between God and humanity.

After the meal Jesus tells the disciples that they will all fall away that night.

Peter immediately insists that even if everyone else abandons Jesus, he will remain loyal.

Jesus responds by telling Peter that before the rooster crows he will deny Him three times.

Peter strongly protests that he would never do such a thing.

The group then goes to the Garden of Gethsemane.

The name Gethsemane means “oil press,” a fitting symbol for the spiritual pressure Jesus is about to endure.

Jesus takes Peter, James, and John with Him deeper into the garden while the other disciples remain behind.

Matthew describes Jesus becoming sorrowful and deeply troubled.

The Greek phrase used here reflects overwhelming emotional distress.

Jesus tells the three disciples that His soul is exceedingly sorrowful even unto death.

He then goes a short distance away and prays.

In His prayer He asks if the cup might pass from Him, yet He submits completely to the Father’s will.

The “cup” represents the suffering He is about to experience.

The moment reveals both the humanity of Jesus and His perfect obedience.

Three times Jesus returns to find the disciples asleep.

Their inability to stay awake highlights the contrast between human weakness and Christ’s resolve.

Soon Judas arrives with a crowd carrying swords and clubs.

He greets Jesus with a kiss, a gesture meant to identify Him to those who came to arrest Him.

One of the disciples attempts to defend Jesus by drawing a sword and striking the servant of the high priest.

Jesus stops him and reminds him that those who live by the sword will perish by the sword.

He also explains that He could call upon legions of angels if He chose, but the Scriptures must be fulfilled.

Jesus is then taken before Caiaphas where the religious leaders attempt to find testimony against Him.

Many false witnesses come forward, yet their stories do not agree.

Finally the high priest directly asks Jesus whether He is the Messiah, the Son of God.

Jesus answers that they will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.

At this statement the high priest tears his robes and accuses Jesus of blasphemy.

The council declares that He deserves death.

The chapter closes with Peter waiting outside in the courtyard.

Three separate people recognize him as one of Jesus’ followers.

Each time Peter denies knowing Jesus.

After the third denial, a rooster crows.

Peter remembers Jesus’ words and leaves the courtyard weeping bitterly.

Matthew 26 reveals a night filled with contrasts.

Devotion appears in the woman who pours out the perfume. Betrayal appears in Judas who sells his loyalty. Weakness appears in Peter who denies Jesus out of fear.

Yet through all these events, Jesus moves steadily toward the cross, fully aware of what lies ahead.