Matthew 26 is a frequently discussed chapter of the Bible that recounts the events leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross. It’s filled with provocative accounts such as Jesus’ arrest in Gethsemane, Peter’s denial of him three times, and Judas betraying him for 30 pieces of silver. In this article, we will explore these events and others through an analytical lens to understand more about Jesus’ last days on earth and how his legacy has endured over two thousand years later. From disagreeing apostles to powerful parables delivered during His trial – let us journey back into those fateful final hours before Christ’s crucifixion and see what treasures can be gained from one of history’s most significant moments.
Overview of the Final Days of Jesus in Matthew 26
In this chapter, we see Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus and the Last Supper taking place. Jesus predicts his own death and Peter denies him three times. The chapter ends with Jesus being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. It’s a powerful and emotional account of the events that unfolded in the final days of Jesus’ life. Through Matthew 26, we gain insight into the deep love Jesus had for his disciples and the weight he bore in fulfilling His Father’s plan for His life that He willingly accepted. It’s a powerful reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for all of humanity and a call to reflect on our own relationship with Him each and every day if you have given your life to Him. Note: This is in no way an exhaustive account of each event, but only an overview to help gain an understanding of what was taking place during those final days and the significance of every account that Matthew so informatively recounts.
The Plot To Kill Jesus
So, we will begin by addressing the plot by the religious sects to ultimately kill Jesus. Right before the assembly of the religious Jewish authorities, Jesus makes a significant statement to His disciples, “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified (NKJV).” For context, this is right after Jesus gives the Olivet Discourse. Jesus is not only prophesying His soon death to come, but he’s telling them that His death will happen on Passover and is a willing sacrifice, not an unfortunate murder! What an amazing link to the OT in the Book of Exodus 12 of the Passover lamb.
The blood of the unblemished lamb was to be placed on the doorposts to save them from the plague that was to come upon Egypt. This was instructed to be kept as a memorial through the generations. So, what we see here is that the power was in the blood. The blood from that 1-year-old unblemished lamb is what saved their children from dying and ultimately a picture of the sinless, unblemished Jesus Christ whose blood is what saves all humanity. The power is in Jesus’ sacrificed blood on the cross for the world and just as the Jews had to have faith in God’s instruction that their children would be spared because of the blood, those today must have faith in what Jesus promised and fulfilled on the cross of crucifixion through His blood two thousand years ago.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest who was Caiaphas (there were two high priests Caiaphas the appointed one from the Roman Government, and then Annas, the appointed one from the religious Jews), and plotted how to trick Jesus in some way in order to kill Him. However, they decided not to take Jesus during the feast of Passover for fear of the people revolting because of it. However, regardless of how much they wanted to avoid killing Jesus on the Feast of Passover, they had no control over this, as it was appointed by God for Jesus to be sacrificed on Passover to commemorate the Passover lamb in Exodus that saved the firstborn, but now, as a new covenant as Jesus explains during Passover with His disciples through Him, the ultimate sinless sacrifice.
I briefly want to touch on Jesus’ anointing with oil in Bethany and why was Jesus anointed. This occurred at Simon the Leper’s house. It says Simon was a leper, which would make him unclean according to religious standards, and yet Jesus and the disciples dwelt in his house which would also make them unclean. This is another example of where Jesus is showing the Jews that He came for the sinners, poor, and weak of the world and that everything in the OT ultimately points to Jesus and the fulfillment of His death on the cross. We see in this event that a woman comes to Jesus and anoints Him with very expensive fragrant oil.
When Judas Iscariot sees this he attempts to question the woman’s motives and determines it is a waste of oil for what she just did and it would have been better to sell it and give the profit to the poor. However, this is not some noble or righteous idea that Judas has as we know by John’s account that Judas said this out of his greed for money, as he was stealing from the collection of money in which he was in charge of for the entire group. And Jesus responds to this objection with profound truths. Jesus told His disciples that for one they do not always have Him, but they will always have the poor and it was for His burial. This fragrant oil was poured out on Jesus’s head by this faithful woman who humbly disregarded the price of the oil to anoint her King. Then Jesus tells everyone that what this woman has done will be told to the whole world as a memorial to her faithfulness and this has come true through every single person who reads Matthew 26.
Why is her name not given? There may be many reasons for it, however, I think that one reason is that she would not be worshipped or lifted high for this deed. All glory always goes to God and we see that human nature is to worship people or physical objects naturally, which we see throughout Scripture and history. The mother of Mary is worshipped and lifted above other humans as if she was special. We also see this with the Pope as individuals bow down and kiss his feet and worship him as if he is a God. This woman is just another faithful follower of Jesus who does not need any recognition for her acts as her rewards will be awaiting her.
Judas The Betrayer
The beginning of how Judas becomes a traitor is when he approaches the chief priests and presents a proposition. He asks them how much they will pay him if he will set up Jesus so they can kill him. They offered Judas 30 pieces of silver for Jesus as is predicted in Zechariah 11:12-13. I think one of the main questions asked is why? Why did Judas betray Jesus? One thing we know is that Judas did not believe Jesus was the Messiah, or that He was indeed God incarnate. Judas’ greed for money and riches blinded him to the very truth living with him day in and day out. It wasn’t until after Jesus was crucified that Judas realized the gravity of his actions and ended his life after returning the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests. I think it is essential that we always remember that material things mean nothing. Judas in his pursuit of material riches ended up losing his life for it and not only that, but the saddest part is that he never received Jesus’ saving grace.
I think the biggest why for me is not necessarily when Judas goes and requests to betray Jesus for money, but when all of the disciples are eating Passover with Jesus and Jesus tells them that one of them will betray Him. Judas then asks Jesus if it is him and Jesus says yes. After this, how could Judas firstly, not believe in Jesus as the Messiah after everything He’s said and done and right here telling Judas he will be the one to betray Him. and number secondly, how could he think he could now be successful in setting up Jesus if Jesus knows he is trying to set Him up? Many other questions may arise as well like what were the other disciples thinking after this? Did they confront Judas? Follow him? Why wouldn’t they cast Judas away? This entire event is quite interesting, to say the least, however, we know that Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion had to take place, and no matter who or what there would be no stopping such an accomplishment!
After this, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to walk a little distance for some privacy for prayer. Jesus then tells the three to sit and pray while He goes and prays. After the 3 prayers then Judas appears with a mob of people and kisses Jesus, the very signal he explained he would give to give away Jesus.
The Last Supper
When the evening had arrived, Jesus sat down with his twelve disciples at this man’s house and shared a Passover meal with them during which he predicted that one of them – Judas Iscariot – would betray him. And Jesus said,” It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” This verse has brought about some confusion among some individuals, however, it is easily made clear by a few points: Jesus is saying that it would be good if Judas were never born in the first place, but why? Does this mean that Jesus is saying that His crucifixion should never have taken place? Of course not. Jesus is saying that it would be good if Judas was never born because he hardened his heart against God and refused to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, therefore instead choosing the opposite of Jesus and heaven which is Satan and hell. God does not want any man to perish (2Pet. 3:9), so, therefore in this context that God loves every person He created and doesn’t want any to perish, however, according to free will Judas chose not to believe and chose to betray Jesus, which was foreknown, foreseen and had to take place in order to fulfill prophecy.
After this, Judas even asks Jesus if it is him and Jesus confirms to Judas that it is him who will betray Him! Imagine being Judas right now, he made a deal already to betray Jesus and Jesus tells him it is you who will betray Me. Judas first had to be in shock realizing Jesus knew of his betrayal. Then he probably was wondering how Jesus knew if he didn’t tell anyone. At this point, Judas would have to have known that Jesus was more than just a man. How would He know of this betrayal otherwise? And yet, Judas refuses to believe in Jesus, but only to continue in his pursuit of betraying Jesus to the religious leaders. What an amazing twist of events and the display of free will intertwining with prophecies being fulfilled.
During this meal with his apostles, Jesus also institutes the Lord’s Supper or Communion – which is celebrated today among Christians all over the world. So, Jesus chooses Passover to institute the Lord’s Supper for a specific reason. As mentioned above, Passover was an OT event in which God instructed Israel to sacrifice an unblemished pure lamb and then spread the blood on the doorposts, so that when the angel came to enact judgment upon every firstborn in Egypt they would be spared. Afterward, Israel was instructed to keep this day as a commemoration that God spared Israel’s firstborn by blood. The significance is on the pure unblemished blood. There is also much to dive into here about the seder meal on Passover and how every item represents Jesus in some way that will be explained in another article. So, fast forward to the Passover meal with Jesus and his disciples, and that now Jesus is this pure unblemished blood that will be offered up for the whole world that whoever places their faith in Him will be given eternal life. Jesus is what the Passover was pointing to and communion is merely a commemoration or celebration of remembrance for what Jesus’ death meant and the major ramifications because of it that has affected billions.
Now, Jesus begins by blessing the unleavened bread, breaking it then Jesus stretched out His hand and distributing it out to the disciples and saying, ” Take, eat; this is My body.” Now there are two major views on what this means but I’m not going to delve into it here, that will be in another article about Communion specifically. The bread represents Jesus’s body that would be sacrificed for all of humanity’s sins. Then Jesus took the cup, gave thanks, and told all of them to drink from it. The drink represents Jesus’ blood by which all the sins of the world are atoned for through faith in Him as being God incarnate. Only Jesus’ sinless, unblemished, and pure blood could suffice the requirement to atone for all of the world’s sins.
Then Jesus tells the disciples that His blood is establishing this New Covenant and will be shed for the remission of sins. After this, Jesus makes a promise that He will not drink from this fruit of the vine again until when He drinks it new with them in the Kingdom of Heaven. This passage has many implications, I will touch on only two. Firstly, He said He will see them again in the kingdom of heaven, for those who have believed in Him as the Messiah, so a promise from Jesus that can be taken to infer that every believer will reunite with Jesus when He comes for His Bride and will therefore drink with Him again in great joy! Secondly, Jesus does not have time so to speak until that day, as He is busy preparing a place for His Bride in heaven. This is a promise that we will once again be with our Lord at some point. After this, they sing a hymn and then go to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus’ Arrest in Gethsemane
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus in a place called Gethsemane is one of the most important events in Christianity. It is chronicled in all four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It begins as Jesus had gone to a garden called Gethsemane and Jesus prays three times with three of His disciples right before His impending arrest and crucifixion. Just as He finished praying for the third time and came back to His three disciples sleeping again, He told them that the hour Jesus would be betrayed had finally come! Jesus knew this was the very moment he would be taken and ultimately crucified. And yet, He obediently accepted it with great humility and courage. He was not forced, but in His free will chose to be obedient to His Father’s plan.
Judas Iscariot arrived at the garden accompanied by a large crowd carrying swords and clubs sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. Upon seeing them arrive, Jesus asked Judas, “Friend, why have you come?” Notice he still addresses Judas as a friend after knowing why he came. What a kind of love that is unexplainable! Not only that but why the question? Jesus already knows the answer. Jesus was giving Juda an opportunity for repentance, to confess his sin, and to place his faith in Jesus. God never quits on us no matter if we are at the very end of our life or seconds of life left. He will always give us an opportunity to confess our sins, repent and place our faith and trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Then Judas kissed Him as an identifier so that those present could arrest Jesus without incident. However, one disciple of Jesus (Peter) draws a sword and cuts off the High priest’s servant’s ear. Jesus orders His disciple to put his sword away and makes a statement that has also created much controversy over whether or not one can kill. However, I will not discuss this here, as I will explain it in depth in another article specifically about Killing.
But, what Jesus does is remind the disciples of who He is and He could have more than twelve legions of angels come to His defense from His Father, however, the Scriptures must be fulfilled, and the prophecies must be fulfilled, as this was the plan from the beginning. Jesus was telling His disciples that He was willingly going to His known death. That this was the very purpose for Him to take on flesh in a human body and be limited in many ways as humans are so that He could live a human life, suffer, and willingly be crucified so that the whole world’s sins can be atoned for, forgiven if they place their faith in trust in Jesus as God.
Then ALL the disciples forsook Jesus and fled. They all escaped. None of them stayed with Jesus. This event has so many implications. Why did they all run? Did they truly believe Jesus was who He claimed to be as the Messiah, God incarnate? The fear of death and the lack of faith were the root of it. Jesus told them they would all forsake Him though and they did.
Jesus Before The Sanhedrin
Following his capture at Gethsemane, Jesus was taken to trial before Caiaphas (the high priest), the scribes, and elders or religious leaders who were trying to bring false testimony by many false witnesses against Jesus to have a legitimate reason according to their law to put Him to death but Jesus remained silent. Finally, two false witnesses came forward and said Jesus claimed to be able to destroy the temple and build it again in three days, which would be claiming to be God. So, the high priest asked Jesus if He is the Christ, the Son of God, which again would be claiming to be God Himself and is considered blasphemy and worthy of death. Jesus answered,” It is as you said.” Jesus confirms He is God even further by saying,” Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and told everyone that they didn’t need any witnesses, Jesus just blasphemed by claiming to be God and was worthy of death, to which they all agreed. Then they beat Jesus, mocked Him, and spit on Him. Some try and claim that Jesus never claimed to be God, yet this could not be any clearer. Jesus claimed that He is the Christ, the Son of God, and that He will be at God’s right hand in His Father’s kingdom coming in the clouds of heaven, which are all claims to be God and contain His divinity. This blasphemy (claiming to be God) is what instantly secured Jesus’ death. Then this chapter ends with Peter’s denial three times before the rooster crows to the servant girl and his weeping when remembering Jesus’s words prophesying just that.
Conclusion
My mission for this article is not an exhaustive one by any means, however, it is intended to be a helpful glimpse and insight into this much-read and sought-after chapter by believers and unbelievers alike. There are many profound events and too many to try and condense into a page or two here. However, I feel it is important to be knowledgeable of this chapter and the supporting chapters in the other three Gospel accounts. I hope that after reading through this article it has only stirred within you a desire and passion to read and learn more so that you may continually be spiritually fed daily by this truth from our living God. There are intentional sections that I did not touch on or go deeper into for the sake of space and time here. I will be adding other supporting and more in-depth articles regularly to help you in your walk and growth in your relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was looking for! “The medium is the message.” by Marshall McLuhan.