Mateus 26

The Plot to Kill Jesus

1 When Jesus had finished this *26:1 I.e. a formal, extended teaching about important matters.discourse, He said to His disciples, 2 "You know that the Passover is coming in two days, and the Son of Man is to be betrayed and handed over for crucifixion." [Mark 14:1, 2; Luke 22:1, 2]

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of the [elegant home of the Jewish] high priest, whose name was *26:3 Caiaphas served as high priest a.d. 18 to 36. His father-in-law, Annas, served as high priest a.d. 6-15. Annas was removed from the position by Rome, but continued to be extremely influential and was regarded by the Jews as de facto high priest even though others (his sons and son-in-law) officially held the office. In about 1990, in an ancient burial cave outside Jerusalem, Israeli archeologists found twelve limestone ossuaries (bone boxes). One of them was uniquely elaborate and decorated with a rare and intricate pattern of rosettes. According to its inscription, this ossuary contained the bones of Caiaphas.Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him. 5 But they said, "It must not be during the festival (Passover), otherwise there might be a riot among the people."

The Anointing in Bethany

6 Now when Jesus was [back] in Bethany, at the home of *26:6 Most likely a man previously healed by Jesus. Otherwise he would not be able to have a home among others in the city.Simon the leper, [Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8] 7 a *26:7 John the Apostle identifies this woman as Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus (Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8). Jesus was anointed in a similar way by an unnamed woman when He was in Galilee dining at the home of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-40).woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive *26:7 This was a thick, scented oil (nard) obtained from the root of a flowering plant grown in the Himalayas of Tibet.perfume and she poured it on Jesus’ head as He reclined at the table. 8 But when the *26:8 Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, spoke first denouncing this act of devotion (John 12:4, 5).disciples saw it they were indignant and angry, saying, "Why all this waste [of money]? 9 For this perfume might have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." 10 But Jesus, aware [of the malice] of this [remark], said to them, "Why are you bothering the woman? She has done a good thing to Me.11 For you always have the poor with you; but you will not always have Me. [Deut 15:11; Mark 14:7] 12 When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.13 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever this gospel [of salvation] is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her [for her act of love and devotion]."

Judas’ Bargain

14 Then one of the twelve [disciples], who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you?" And they weighed out *26:15 Probably about a month’s wages for a laborer.thirty pieces of silver. [Ex 21:32; Zech 11:12] 16 And from that moment Judas began looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus. [Mark 14:10, 11; Luke 22:3-6; John 6:71]

17 Now on the first day of *26:17 This remembrance lasted eight days. The Passover lambs were selected on the tenth of Nisan (March/April) and sacrificed on the fourteenth of Nisan (the first day of the feast). The Passover meal was eaten that same night (15 Nisan). This was immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread (15-21 Nisan). The terms "Passover" and "The Feast of Unleavened Bread" were used interchangeably.Unleavened Bread (Passover Week) the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?" [Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13] 18 He said, "Go into the city to *26:18 Tradition identifies this man as Mark’s father.a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, "My time [to suffer and atone for sin] is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples." ’ "19 [Accordingly] the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. [Deut 16:5-8]

The Last Passover

20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. [Mark 14:17-21] 21 And as they were eating, He said, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you that one of you will betray Me."22 Being deeply grieved and extremely distressed, each one of them began to say to Him, "Surely not I, Lord?" 23 Jesus answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the bowl with Me [as a *26:23 In the ancient culture sharing a meal in this way was a confirmation of friendship and goodwill.pretense of friendship] will betray Me.24 The Son of Man is to go [to the cross], just as it is written [in Scripture] of Him; but woe (judgment is coming) to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born." [Ps 41:9] 25 And Judas, the betrayer, said, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" Jesus said to him, "*26:25 "You" is emphatic in the Greek text.You have said it yourself."

The Lord’s Supper Instituted

26 Now as they were eating Jesus took bread, and after *26:26 The customary blessing spoken over the bread in the Passover meal was, "Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth."blessing it, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." [Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Cor 11:23-25] 27 And when He had taken a cup and *26:27 Giving thanks consisted of two benedictions, one over the wine ("Blessed are You, Lord our God, who has created the fruit of the vine!") and one for the return of the Feast Day with all it implied, as well as being allowed once more to witness it.given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you;28 for this is My blood of the [new and better] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many [as a *26:28 By laying his hands on the head of the sacrifice the one offering the sacrifice identified himself with it and through its death it became an atonement or covering for his sin. Because the unblemished sacrifice "covered" his sin, it placed the one offering the sacrifice in a right relationship with God, just as later under the new covenant the perfection and sacrifice of Christ would cover (atone for) the imperfection and sin of those who identified with Him and accepted Him as Savior.substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins. [Ex 24:6-8]