Matthew 26:1-19

Preparation For What Lies Ahead (26:1-19).

In this subsection we see Jesus' (and God's) preparations for what lies ahead which are interspersed with indications of the activities of the Chief Priests concerning Him.

This first subsection may be analysed as follows:

a JESUS tells His disciples that at the coming Passover the Son of Man will be delivered up to be CRUCIFIED (Matthew 26:1).

b The CHIEF PRIESTS and Elders conspire to have Him PUT TO DEATH (Matthew 26:3).

c The woman with the flask of perfumed oil anoints JESUS in preparation for His BURIAL (Matthew 26:6).

b Judas negotiates with the CHIEF PRIESTS to betray Jesus TO HIS DEATH for money (Matthew 26:14)

a JESUS arranges with His disciples for the preparation of the Passover meal which will act out what He will accomplish ON THE CROSS through shedding His blood (Matthew 26:17).

Note that in ‘a' Jesus speaks of the coming Passover and proclaims that He will then be handed over to be crucified, while in the parallel He prepares for the proclamation of His death at the Passover meal. In ‘b' the Chief Priests and Elders conspire against Jesus, and in the parallel the Chief Priests and Judas conspire together against Jesus. Centrally in ‘c' Jesus is anointed by the woman for His burial as she reveals her great love for Him, in total contrast to the hostility of the Chief Priests and the perfidy of Judas. Note how all are preparing for His death in different ways. His Father by arranging for Him to be anointed, the woman by revealing her spiritual love and anointing Him, Judas by betraying Him, and the Chief Priests by plotting against Him.