Introduction

† Matthew 26 begins the final stage of Jesus' earthly ministry before the crucifixion. Everything Jesus had warned about was now about to unfold. The religious leaders were already plotting His death, and Jesus openly told His disciples that the time had come. (Matthew 16:21)

† This chapter shows the contrast between human schemes and God's predetermined plan. While the chief priests believed they were acting secretly, Jesus already knew every detail of what was about to happen. Nothing in this chapter surprised Him. (Acts 2:23)

† The events recorded here lead directly to the sacrifice that would bring the Old Covenant age to its conclusion and establish the New Covenant that the prophets had promised. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Matthew 26:1

When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples,

† Jesus had just finished the Olivet Discourse. Now He turned to the events that would happen immediately. The warnings of Matthew 24 and 25 were now about to begin unfolding in real time. (Matthew 24:34)

† The phrase finished all these words marks the end of Jesus' final prophetic teaching before the crucifixion events began. (Matthew 7:28)

Matthew 26:2

You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.

† Jesus directly connected His death with the Passover. The Passover lamb had always pointed forward to Christ. (1 Corinthians 5:7)

† The timing was not accidental. God's plan required that the true Lamb be sacrificed during Passover. (Exodus 12:3-14)

Matthew 26:3

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered together in the courtyard of the high priest named Caiaphas,

† The leadership of Israel had already decided that Jesus must die. Their concern was protecting their authority and position. (John 11:47-53)

† Caiaphas served as high priest during this critical moment and played a central role in the plot against Jesus. (John 18:13)

Matthew 26:4

and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him.

† The religious leaders secretly planned murder while publicly claiming to defend God's law. This exposed the corruption Jesus had already condemned. (Matthew 23:27)

† Their actions fulfilled the prophecy that rulers would rise against the Messiah. (Psalm 2:1-2)

Matthew 26:5

But they were saying, Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.

† They feared the crowd because Jesus had many supporters in Jerusalem. (Matthew 21:46)

† Ironically they tried to avoid the festival timing, yet God's plan ensured the crucifixion occurred exactly during Passover. (Acts 4:27-28)

Matthew 26:6

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper,

† Bethany was a village just outside Jerusalem where Jesus often stayed with close followers. (John 11:18)

† Simon the leper was likely someone Jesus had previously healed, showing how Jesus transformed lives wherever He went. (Luke 5:13)

Matthew 26:7

a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table.

† This act of devotion was costly and intentional, demonstrating deep honor toward Jesus. (Mark 14:3)

† Jesus explained that this act symbolically prepared Him for burial. (John 12:7)

Matthew 26:8

But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, Why this waste?

† The disciples looked at the value of the perfume instead of recognizing the spiritual meaning of the act. (John 12:4-5)

† Even faithful followers sometimes misunderstand the significance of what God is doing. (Luke 18:34)

Matthew 26:9

For this perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.

† Helping the poor was important, but the disciples missed the unique moment of honoring Christ before His death. (Deuteronomy 15:11)

† Judas especially used this argument while secretly motivated by greed. (John 12:6)

Matthew 26:10

But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, Why are you bothering the woman? For she has done a good deed for Me.

† Jesus immediately defended her devotion and recognized the sincerity of her act. (Mark 14:6)

† Her action revealed spiritual understanding that the disciples did not yet possess. (Matthew 26:12)

Matthew 26:11

For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.

† Jesus was emphasizing the limited time remaining before His death. (John 13:33)

† This was not a dismissal of caring for the poor but a recognition of the unique moment they were in. (Matthew 20:28)

Matthew 26:12

For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.

† Jesus openly stated again that His death was approaching. (Matthew 16:21)

† The woman's action unknowingly served as preparation for the coming burial. (John 19:40)

Matthew 26:13

Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.

† Jesus predicted that the message of the gospel would spread throughout the world. (Matthew 24:14)

† Her act of devotion became permanently tied to the story of Christ's sacrifice. (Mark 14:9)

Matthew 26:14

Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests

† Judas' betrayal fulfilled prophecy that a close companion would turn against the Messiah. (Psalm 41:9)

† Being close to Jesus physically did not guarantee true faith. (John 13:2)

Matthew 26:15

and said, What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you? And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him.

† Thirty pieces of silver fulfilled the prophecy concerning the price placed on the shepherd of Israel. (Zechariah 11:12)

† Judas' actions were motivated by greed rather than loyalty. (1 Timothy 6:10)

Matthew 26:16

From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.

† Judas waited for the moment when Jesus could be taken quietly without crowds present. (Luke 22:6)

† This demonstrated the careful plotting of the religious leaders. (Mark 14:1)

Matthew 26:17

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?

† The Passover meal commemorated Israel's deliverance from Egypt. (Exodus 12:14)

† This particular Passover would become the moment when the New Covenant was revealed. (Luke 22:15)

Matthew 26:18

And He said, Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, The Teacher says, My time is near, I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.

† Jesus showed full awareness that His appointed time had arrived. (John 12:23)

† Everything was unfolding exactly according to God's plan. (John 13:1)

Matthew 26:19

The disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

† The disciples obeyed Jesus' instructions even though they did not yet understand the significance of the evening. (Luke 22:13)

† This preparation led to the institution of the Lord's Supper. (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)

Matthew 26:20

Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.

† The Passover meal was traditionally eaten after sunset. (Exodus 12:8)

† This would be the final meal Jesus shared with the twelve before His arrest. (Luke 22:16)

Matthew 26:21

As they were eating, He said, Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.

† Jesus openly revealed that betrayal would come from within His closest circle. (John 13:21)

† This fulfilled prophecy concerning betrayal by a trusted friend. (Psalm 41:9)

Matthew 26:22

Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, Surely not I, Lord?

† The disciples were shocked and troubled by Jesus' words. (Mark 14:19)

† Each one examined himself after hearing the warning. (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Matthew 26:23

And He answered, He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me.

† Sharing food together symbolized close fellowship in the ancient world. (Psalm 55:12-14)

† The betrayal therefore came from someone trusted. (John 13:26)

Matthew 26:24

The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.

† Jesus confirmed that His death fulfilled prophecy. (Isaiah 53:7)

† Judas still remained responsible for his decision. (Acts 1:16)

Matthew 26:25

And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, Surely it is not I, Rabbi? Jesus said to him, You have said it yourself.

† Judas attempted to hide his betrayal while sitting among the disciples. (John 13:27)

† Jesus' response showed that nothing about this betrayal was hidden from Him. (John 6:64)

Matthew 26:26

While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is My body.

† Jesus established the memorial that would remind believers of His sacrifice. (1 Corinthians 11:23-24)

† The bread symbolized the body He would soon give for the world. (Luke 22:19)

Matthew 26:27

And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you;

† The cup symbolized the covenant sealed by His blood. (Hebrews 9:22)

† This moment pointed directly to the crucifixion that was about to occur. (Matthew 20:28)

Matthew 26:28

for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

† Jesus identified His sacrifice as the foundation of the New Covenant promised by the prophets. (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

† Forgiveness would now come through His finished work. (Ephesians 1:7)

Matthew 26:29

But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.

† Jesus pointed forward to the coming kingdom reality that would soon be established. (Matthew 16:28)

† That kingdom would arrive within the lifetime of those hearing Him. (Matthew 24:34)

Matthew 26:30

After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

† The hymn likely came from the Passover psalms sung during the meal. (Psalm 118)

† The Mount of Olives would soon become the place where Jesus would be arrested. (Luke 22:39)

Matthew 26:31

Then Jesus said to them, You will all fall away because of Me this night.

† Jesus quoted prophecy that the shepherd would be struck and the sheep scattered. (Zechariah 13:7)

† Even devoted followers can falter in moments of fear. (Luke 22:31)

Matthew 26:32

But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.

† Jesus again predicted His resurrection. (Matthew 28:7)

† Galilee was where much of His ministry had begun and where He would appear to them again. (Matthew 4:12)

Matthew 26:33

But Peter said to Him, Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.

† Peter spoke with strong confidence in his loyalty. (Luke 22:33)

† Human confidence can collapse under pressure. (Proverbs 16:18)

Matthew 26:34

Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.

† Jesus precisely predicted Peter's coming denial. (Luke 22:34)

† This showed Jesus' complete knowledge of the events about to unfold. (John 2:24-25)

Matthew 26:35

Peter said to Him, Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You. All the disciples said the same thing too.

† The disciples sincerely believed they would remain loyal. (Mark 14:31)

† Yet the coming hours would expose their weakness and fear. (Matthew 26:56)

Historical References

† Josephus recorded that Passover brought enormous crowds to Jerusalem, which explains why the leaders feared arresting Jesus publicly.

† Eusebius wrote that the crucifixion marked the turning point between the Old Covenant system and the New Covenant age.

† Clement of Alexandria described Judas' betrayal as proof that outward association with truth does not guarantee genuine faith.

How It Applies To Us Today

† This chapter reminds us that God's plan cannot be stopped by human schemes. Everything unfolded exactly as scripture had foretold. (Acts 2:23)

† The devotion of the woman in Bethany shows that honoring Christ should come before worldly calculations. (Mark 14:9)

† Peter's failure reminds believers that weakness can happen, but restoration is possible through Christ. (John 21:15-17)

Q & A Appendix

Q: Why did Jesus die during Passover?
A: Because the Passover lamb pointed forward to Christ as the true Lamb of God. (1 Corinthians 5:7)

Q: Did Jesus know Judas would betray Him?
A: Yes. Jesus openly identified the betrayal during the Passover meal. (John 13:26-27)

Q: Why did Peter deny Jesus after claiming loyalty?
A: Fear overtook him in the moment, but he was later restored and continued serving Christ. (Luke 22:61-62)

† This is the fulfilled perspective we proclaim at Fulfilled Prophecies †
© Fulfilled Prophecies - Dan Maines.

Source Index

† Matthew 26:1-35; Matthew 16:21; Matthew 24:34; Matthew 20:28; Matthew 16:28; Matthew 28:7; Mark 14:3-31; Luke 22:6-34; John 11:47-53; John 13:1-27; Acts 2:23; Acts 4:27-28; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Exodus 12:3-14; Psalm 41:9; Psalm 55:12-14; Psalm 118; Zechariah 11:12; Zechariah 13:7; Isaiah 53:7; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25; Proverbs 16:18; 2 Corinthians 13:5

† Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews; Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History; Clement of Alexandria, Stromata.

Matthew 26 Paraphrased (Verses 1-35)

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Matthew 26a Paraphrased (Verses 36-75)

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