The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on ActsMatthew 26

Mt 26:1 CXVI. JESUS PREDICTS, THE RULERS PLOT FOR, AND JUDAS BARGAINS FOR HIS DEATH. (Mount of Olives, Bethany, and Jerusalem. Tuesday after sunset, which Jews regarded as the beginning of Wednesday.) Mt 26:1-5,14-16 Mr 14:1,2,10,11 Lu 22:1-6

Mt 26:2 Ye know that after two days the passover cometh. See TFG "Mr 14:1".

Mt 26:3 Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. This council may have begun on the evening of Tuesday and continued until the beginning of Wednesday, Jewish time. It seems to have been a formal rather than an informal conference. The court where they met was the open space enclosed by the palace of the high priest. Caiaphas had been appointed high priest in A.D. 26 by the Procurator Valerius Gratus and was deposed A.D. 38. Ishmael, Eleazar, and Simon held the office between the deposition of Annas and the appointment of Caiaphas (Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, 18.2.2). Also see TFG "Lu 3:2". (TFG 642)

Mt 26:4 That they might take Jesus by subtlety. See TFG "Mr 14:2".

Mt 26:5 Not during the feast, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:2".

Mt 26:6 CIV. JESUS ARRIVES AND IS FEASTED AT BETHANY. (From Friday afternoon till Saturday Night, March 31 and April 1, A.D. 30.) Joh 11:55-12:11 Mt 26:6-13 Mr 14:3-9 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:3".

Mt 26:7 There came unto him a woman, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:3".

Mt 26:9 For this ointment might have been sold for much. See TFG "Mr 14:5".

Mt 26:10-12 Why trouble ye the woman? See TFG "Mr 14:6".

Mt 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:7".

Mt 26:13 Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:9".

Mt 26:14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests. See TFG "Mr 14:10".

Mt 26:15 And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver. There had been coined shekels since the time of Simeon, or 143 B.C., before that the money was weighed. It is likely that the term "weighed" survived the practice and became a synonym or equivalent for "paid." See TFG "Mr 14:11". (TFG 643)

Mt 26:16 From that time he sought opportunity to deliver him unto them. See TFG "Mr 14:11".

Mt 26:17 CXVII. PREPARATION FOR PASSOVER. DISCIPLES CONTEND FOR PRECEDENCE. (Bethany to Jerusalem. Thursday afternoon and, after sunset, beginning of Friday.) Mt 26:17-20 Mr 14:12-17 Lu 22:7-18,24-30 Now on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus. See TFG "Mr 14:12".

Mt 26:18 Go into the city to such a man. See TFG "Mr 14:13". And say unto him, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:14".

Mt 26:20 Now when even was come, he was sitting at meat with the twelve disciples. See TFG "Mr 14:17".

Mt 26:21 CXIX. JUDAS' BETRAYAL AND PETER'S DENIAL FORETOLD. (Jerusalem. Evening before the crucifixion.) Mt 26:21-25,31-35 Mr 14:18-21,27-31 Lu 22:21-23,31-38 Joh 13:21-38 Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. See TFG "Mr 14:18".

Mt 26:22 They were exceeding sorrowful, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:19".

Mt 26:23 He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:20".

Mt 26:24 The Son of man goeth, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:21".

Mt 26:25 Judas . . . said, Is it I, Rabbi? He saith unto him, Thou hast said. It seems strange that the disciples showed no resentment toward Judas, and made no effort to interfere with this course, but their conduct is plain if we regard them as viewing the predictions of Jesus as referring to the indefinite future, and not the immediate present. (TFG 653)

Mt 26:26 CXX. THE LORD'S SUPPER INSTITUTED. (Jerusalem. Evening before the crucifixion.) Mt 26:26-29 Mr 14:22-25 Lu 22:19,20 1Co 11:23-26 Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:22".

Mt 26:27 He took a cup, and gave thanks. See TFG "Mr 14:23". Drink ye all of it. "All" refers to the persons and not to the wine. It was important that all the disciples participate in the cup, but not that all the wine should be used. See Mr 14:23. (TFG 658)

Mt 26:28 For this is my blood of the covenant. See TFG "Mr 14:24". Which is poured out for many unto remission of sins. The prime object of Christ's death is here declared. It was to accomplish the forgiveness of sins. All other purposes which it served are subordinate to this, and all other blessings which it secures are consequent upon this (Joh 1:29 Eph 5:2 Heb 7:27 1Jo 2:2 4:10 Isa 53:10 Ro 8:2 1Co 15:3). (TFG 659)

Mt 26:29 I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:25".

Mt 26:30 CXXIII. GOING TO GETHSEMANE, AND AGONY THEREIN. (A garden between the brook Kidron and the Mount of Olives. Late Thursday night.) Mt 26:30,36-46 Mr 14:26,32-42 Lu 22:39-46 Joh 18:1 And when they had sung a hymn. See TFG "Mr 14:26".

Mt 26:31,32 I will smite the shepherd, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:27".

Mt 26:33 If all shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended. See TFG "Mr 14:29".

Mt 26:34 Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. See TFG "Mr 14:30".

Mt 26:35 Even if I must die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. See TFG "Mr 14:31".

Mt 26:36 A place called Gethsemane. See TFG "Mr 14:32".

Mt 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee. See TFG "Mr 14:33".

Mt 26:38 My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:34".

Mt 26:39 And fell on his face, and prayed. See TFG "Mr 14:35". If it be possible. The words "if it be possible" breathe the same spirit of submissive obedience which is found in the closing words. See TFG "Mr 14:36". Let this cup pass away from me, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:36".

Mt 26:40 What, could ye not watch with me one hour? See TFG "Mr 14:37".

Mt 26:42 If this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done. Jesus here speaks of draining the cup. The "cup" was a common Hebrew figure used to denote one's divinely appointed lot or fortune (Ps 23:5 75:8 Isa 51:17,22 Eze 23:31-33). (TFG 688)

Mt 26:45 Sleep on now, and take your rest, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:41".

Mt 26:47 CXXIV. JESUS BETRAYED, ARRESTED, AND FORSAKEN. (Gethsemane. Friday, several hours before dawn.) Mt 26:47-56 Mr 14:43-52 Lu 22:47-53 Joh 18:2-11 Judas, one of the twelve, came, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:43".

Mt 26:48 He that betrayed him gave them a sign, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:44".

Mt 26:50 Friend, do that for which thou art come. See TFG "Lu 22:48". Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. See TFG "Mr 14:46".

Mt 26:51 Behold, one . . . drew his sword, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:47".

Mt 26:52 All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. By the healing of Malchus' ear and the words spoken to Peter, Jesus shows that the sword is not to be used either to defend the truth or to advance his kingdom. Had he not thus spoken and acted, Pilate might have doubted his words when he testified that his kingdom was not of this world (Joh 18:36). While we know better than to rely upon the aid of the sword for the advance of truth, we are often tempted to put undue trust in other "carnal weapons" which are equally futile. Wealth and eloquence and elaborate church buildings have but little saving grace in them. It is the truth which wins. (TFG 692)

Mt 26:53,54 Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? Jesus still addresses Peter. Had it accorded with the divine purpose that Jesus should resist this arrest, angels and not men would have been his proper and infinitely more effective rescuers. But, on the contrary, it was God's purpose that he should be arrested, as the Scripture had foretold. (TFG 692)

Mt 26:55 Said Jesus to the multitudes, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:48". I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye took me not. See TFG "Mr 14:49".

Mt 26:56 That the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. See TFG "Mr 14:49".

Mt 26:57 CXXVI. SECOND STAGE OF JEWISH TRIAL. JESUS CONDEMNED BY CAIAPHAS AND THE SANHEDRIN. (Palace of Caiaphas. Friday.) Mt 26:57,59-68 Mr 14:53,55-65 Lu 22:54,63-65 Joh 18:24 They . . . led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. It is very likely that Annas had apartments in the same palace with Caiaphas, and that from these apartments Jesus was led into some hall large enough to hold the Sanhedrin, which was now convened. But this was not its formal session as a court; it was more in the nature of a caucus, or committee of the whole. (TFG 696)

Mt 26:58 CXXVII. PETER THRICE DENIES THE LORD. (Court of the high priest's residence. Friday before and about dawn.) Mt 26:58,69-75 Mr 14:54,66-72 Lu 22:54-62 Joh 18:15-18,25-27 But Peter followed him afar off, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:54".

Mt 26:61 This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:58".

Mt 26:62 Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? See TFG "Mr 14:60".

Mt 26:63 But Jesus held his peace, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:61".

Mt 26:64 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. By the words "nevertheless" and "henceforth" Jesus brings the present state of humiliation into contrast with his future state of glory. See TFG "Mr 14:62". (TFG 698)

Mt 26:65 Then the high priest rent his garments, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:63".

Mt 26:66 He is worthy of death. See TFG "Mr 14:64".

Mt 26:67,68 Then did they spit in his face and buffet him, etc. See TFG "Mr 14:65".

Mt 26:72 And again he denied with an oath. See TFG "Mr 14:70".

Mt 26:74 Then began he to curse and to swear. See TFG "Mr 14:71".

Mt 26:75 He went out, and wept bitterly. See TFG "Mr 14:72".