Matthew 26

(1)  And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
(2)  Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
(3)  Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
(4)  And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
(5)  But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
(6)  Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
(7)  There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
(8)  But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
(9)  For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
(10)  When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
(11)  For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
(12)  For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
(13)  Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
(14)  Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
(15)  And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
(16)  And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
(17)  Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
(18)  And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
(19)  And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
(20)  Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
(21)  And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
(22)  And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
(23)  And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
(24)  The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
(25)  Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
(26)  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
(27)  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
(28)  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
(29)  But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
(30)  And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
(31)  Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
(32)  But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
(33)  Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
(34)  Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
(35)  Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
(36)  Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
(37)  And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
(38)  Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
(39)  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
(40)  And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
(41)  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
(42)  He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
(43)  And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
(44)  And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
(45)  Then cometh he to his 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.
(46)  Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
(47)  And 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.
(48)  Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
(49)  And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
(50)  And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
(51)  And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
(52)  Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
(53)  Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
(54)  But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
(55)  In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
(56)  But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
(57)  And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
(58)  But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
(59)  Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
(60)  But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
(61)  And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
(62)  And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
(63)  But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
(64)  Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
(65)  Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
(66)  What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
(67)  Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
(68)  Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
(69)  Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
(70)  But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
(71)  And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
(72)  And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
(73)  And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
(74)  Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
(75)  And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

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Study Questions

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1. What prediction of Jesus does Matthew record here for the fourth time? Verses 1-2. (See Matthew 16:21-23, Matthew 17:22-23, and Matthew 20:17-19)

2. Who met together to discuss how they might kill Jesus? Verses 3-4.

3. What was the need for subtlety in the taking of Jesus? Verses 4-5.

4. If this is the same occasion mentioned in John 12:1-11, who else was present at the house of Simon the leper? Verse 6.

5. If this is the same event as John chapter 12, what woman poured the ointment on Jesus’ head? Verse 7.

6. Do you think all the disciples made the complaint or does Matthew use the plural to represent what came from a group? Verses 8-9. (See John 12:4)

7. Did Jesus think the use of the precious ointment to honor Him was a waste or a good work? Verse 10.

8. Do you think Jesus expected poverty to be eliminated from the earth? Verse 11.

9. What was Mary’s purpose in anointing Him, according to Jesus? Verse 12.

10. Since the story of Mary is being told today by gospel preachers, what does this say about Jesus’ foreknowledge? Verse 13.

11. How did Judas’ scheme to betray Jesus fit the plan of the chief priests? Verses 14-15.

12. If this took place on Wednesday, as some scholars think, on what day did Judas find his opportunity? Verse 16.

13. Is it likely that the house in the city belonged to a stranger? Verses 17-18.

14. What preparation was necessary for the Passover? Verse 19.

15. If the Passover was on Friday, as McGarvey and others think, when did Jesus sit down with His disciples? Verse 20.

16. If the disciples had known what kind of betrayal was meant, do you think they would have answered, Lord, is it I? Verses 21-12.

17. What statement in this passage denies the doctrine of universal salvation? Verse 24.

18. How is the foreknowledge of Jesus taught in this verse? Verse 25.

19. What would we conclude if as Jesus spoke these words He suddenly disappeared, and the apostles saw nothing but bread? Verse 26.

20. When Jesus said, “Drink ye all of it” (King James Version), did he mean all of the fruit of the vine or all of the persons were to drink it? Verse 27.

21. What is the reason that Jesus shed His blood? Verse 28.

22. Do you think Jesus literally drinks the fruit of the vine with His disciples in the kingdom? Verse 29.

23. What did Jesus predict of the disciples after they left the upper room and went into the Mount of Olives? Verses 30-31.

24. Where in Matthew’s gospel is another mention made of this appointment with His disciples in Galilee? Verse 32.

25. How many times would Peter deny Jesus before the cock crows, according to Jesus’ prediction? Verses 33-34.

26. Did all the disciples promise to die with Jesus rather than deny Him? Verse 35.

27. What was Gethsemane, what does the name mean, and what is its general location? Verse 36. (See John 18:1)

28. Whom did Jesus take with Him and what was His request of them? Verses 37-38.

29. What was the posture of Jesus in prayer and what was the cup that He prayed might pass from Him? Verse 39.

30. When Jesus found the disciples asleep, what reason did He give for telling them to watch and pray? Verses 40-41.

31. How many times did Jesus pray the same prayer; and how many times did He find the disciples asleep? Verses 42-44.

32. Why do you think Jesus told His disciples to rise so soon after saying, “Sleep on now, and take your rest”? Verses 45-46.

33. Can you think of any reason His enemies should think that a great multitude would be needed to arrest Jesus? Verse 47.

34. What was the sign Judas used to identify Jesus and can you think of any reason Judas would use that sign? Verses 48-49.

35. Which disciple cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant and what did Jesus do to the wounded man? Prove your answer. Verses 50-51.

36. Do you think everyone who ever used the sword perished with it? Do you suppose the use of the sword was wrong in the defense of Jesus and innocent in other causes? Verse 52.

37. How many angels would twelve legions be and why didn’t Jesus call on them to save Him? Verses 53-54.

38. What statements in these verses show the malice, hypocrisy, and cowardice of His enemies and the voluntary death of Jesus? Verses 55-56.

39. Which disciple sat with the servants when Jesus appeared before the council after initially fleeing with the other disciples? Verses 57-58.

40. Although many false witnesses showed up at Jesus’ trial, did they find in any of them testimony on which they could put Him to death? Verses 59-62.

41. In your opinion, does the high priest seem willing to rest the case on the testimony he has heard? If not, why not? Verse 63.

42. Would it have been proper for Jesus to refuse to testify against Himself? Verse 64.

43. Do you think Caiaphas was shocked as he indicated by rending his clothes, or was he acting the hypocrite? Verse 65.

44. What crime did they consider Jesus guilty of when they said He was guilty of death? Verse 66.

45. Why could Jesus not see who smote Him? Verses 67-68. (See Luke 22:64)

46. What was Peter doing when accused of being with Jesus of Galilee? Verses 69-70. (See Mark 14:66-67)

47. Peter made various answers, but all amounted to only three denials. Would this be the first that Matthew records? Verses 71-72.

48. In the third accusation Matthew does not designate individuals. What caused them to infer that Peter was a disciple? Verse 73.

49. How did Peter finally convince them he was not a disciple? Verse 74.

50. What caused Peter to weep bitterly? Verse 75.