Matthew 26:1
WHEN JESUS HAD FINISHED. The things taught in the last three Chapter s. The time is Tuesday night [as we count time; their new day began at 6 P.M.],... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN JESUS HAD FINISHED. The things taught in the last three Chapter s. The time is Tuesday night [as we count time; their new day began at 6 P.M.],... [ Continue Reading ]
IN TWO DAYS. After Wednesday and Thursday. The day spoken of is Friday. FEAST OF PASSOVER. See Exodus 12:1-14, This day celebrated their deliverance from captivity in Egypt. It was the high point of the year. The Passover Lamb was symbolic of Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
MET TOGETHER. An official meeting of the Sanhedrin. This was the "supreme court" of the Jews. There were seventy-one members, with the high priest being the president of the group. It could sentence to death, but could not kill without Roman permission. Notice it was made up of the religious leaders... [ Continue Reading ]
TO ARREST JESUS SECRETLY. Public opinion was against them, and they were afraid of the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
OR THE PEOPLE WILL RIOT. As Passover time, Jerusalem was crowded with some millions of people. Josephus says that at Passover in 65 A.D., there were three million people there. They were afraid popular support of Jesus would cause a riot, and the Romans would take severe measures.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE JESUS WAS AT THE HOUSE. Matthew makes a "flashback" to the Saturday before this, in order to show clearly what Judas did, SIMON THE LEPER. Probably healed by Jesus, and a relative to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus,... [ Continue Reading ]
A WOMAN CAME TO HIM. Mary, the sister of Lazarus (John 12:3). AN ALABASTER JAR. This contained a whole pint of very expensive perfume made of Nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head (Mark 14:3).... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BECAME ANGRY. It was Judas who spoke (John 12:4-5). But the other disciples were also displeased by this "waste.... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVEN TO THE POOR. Reasonable, yet the poor whom Judas had in mind was himself (John 12:6). But notice the next verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY ARE YOU BOTHERING THIS WOMAN? They were actually scolding this woman for what she had done! She had honored Jesus by her act of love. Their priorities were mixed, and they had not "thought through" what they were saying.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE POOR PEOPLE. The opportunity to help them is always present. But Christ [in his human form] would not be with them long.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO GET ME READY FOR BURIAL. Mary did this to show her love. Jesus identifies it as an anointing for burial. [This was the custom. _See_ John 19:40.]... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREVER THIS GOSPEL IS PREACHED. The fame of Mary's act would be spread all over the world. [This is also a prediction that the gospel would be preached to everybody (Compare Colossians 1:23).]... [ Continue Reading ]
WENT TO THE CHIEF PRIESTS. His frustration about losing this chance to help himself to money, sends him to the priests. He must have thought that since Jesus was about to be killed, he would never be treasurer of the earthly kingdom he had expected, so he ought to get what he can.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT WILL YOU GIVE ME? He knew they wanted to seize Jesus, and he offers to lead them to him for a price. THIRTY SILVER COINS. This makes Zechariah 11:12 come true. [Silver shekels, each worth about $26 in 1974 dollars.] Joseph was sold for twenty silver coins (Genesis 37:28).... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THEN ON. He watched for an opportunity. No one knows for certain what day Judas made the arrangement with the priests to do this.... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE FIRST DAY. The Feast of Unleavened Bread normally began on the day following Passover. Yet this is the day before Passover. Josephus seems to imply that sometimes the Feast lasted longer than the usual seven days. Since it was the custom to use only unleavened bread the day _before_ Passover,... [ Continue Reading ]
GO TO A CERTAIN MAN. A "sign" would identify the man (Mark 14:13). McGarvey thinks it was done this way so that Judas would not know the location in time to tell the Sanhedrin. This Passover was very important to Jesus and his disciples.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN IT WAS EVENING. The lamb was killed between three and five o'clock (Exodus 12:6), and the Passover meal followed after sunset.... [ Continue Reading ]
I TELL YOU. The meal began with a giving of thanks, Now Jesus interrupts with shocking words _One of you will betray me._... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DISCIPLES WERE VERY UPSET. No one questions the truth of this prophecy. No one accuses someone else. Each asks: _"Surely you don't mean me, Lord?"_... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE WHO DIPS HIS BREAD. This was spoken quietly to John alone (John 13:23-29). Judas and the others did not hear. [Meals were eaten from a common bowl, each dipping in to eat.]... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE SCRIPTURES SAY. This was God's Plan coming true. Yet the betrayer must bear the guilt of his own action [WHICH HE DOES OF HIS OWN FREE WILL].... [ Continue Reading ]
SO YOU SAY. In other words, _"you are the man."_ John adds that Jesus said: _"Hurry and do what you must!"_ Judas "went out at once." It is probable that Judas left _before_ the "Lord's Supper" was instituted.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE THEY WERE EATING. This is at the conclusion of the Passover meal, while they are still seated. JESUS TOOK THE BREAD. Some of the Passover bread. GAVE A PRAYER OF THANKS. EUCHARISTOS means both a "giving of thanks" and a "blessing." THIS IS MY BODY. The Jews said of the Passover Lamb: _"This is... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE TOOK THE CUP. One of those used in the Passover. _Drink it all of you._ That is, drink the "fruit of the grape" it contained.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS MY BLOOD. Symbolic since blood is forbidden to Christians (Acts 15:29). God's covenant. Hebrews 8:8-13; 1 Corinthians 15:3_:_ Colossians 1:20. MY BLOOD POURED OUT FOR MANY. An unlimited sacrifice, which must be seized through faith. _See_ Romans 5:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTIL THE DAY. The messianic community sees in this Holy Meal [Lord's Supper] both a memorial of the Cross and a prediction of the future. The "new wine" in the Father's Kingdom is symbolic of the Wedding Feast of the Lamb and his church (Revelation 19:7-8). Paul received a special revelation on the... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THEY SANG A HYMN. It was the custom to close Passover by singing Psalms 115-118. Singing was given a new place in the messianic community. TO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES. To the garden of Gethsemane on the mountain side. It is the darkness of night. Only two or three hours pass from the time of the Lor... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL OF YOU WILL RUN AWAY. Zechariah 13:7 spoke of this. This would seem to be the end of all their hope.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL GO TO GALILEE. He promises that after raising from death, he will meet with them in Galilee (see Matthew 28:16; 1 Corinthians 15:6).... [ Continue Reading ]
PETER SPOKE UP. Impulsive as usual, and overconfident of his strength.... [ Continue Reading ]
REMEMBER THIS! Peter would remember after it was too late! Satan was going to test all of them (Luke 22:31). BEFORE THE ROOSTER CROWS. Mark says "twice." The first crowing would be at midnight, the second at 3 A.M.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN IF I HAVE TO DIE WITH YOU. They meant what they were saying, but they did not know their own weakness.... [ Continue Reading ]
GETHSEMANE. The name means "oil-press," a press for making oil from the olives that gave the Mount of Olives its name. SIT HERE. He speaks to the eight who would stay there. WHILE I GO. He reacted to this time of crisis by praying to his Father.... [ Continue Reading ]
GRIEF AND ANGUISH. This is his human side (see Hebrews 5:7). He dreaded the agony of death just as we would. But, he came to do the Father's will! Peter, James, and John were the three closest to him. They had been with him at the Transfiguration.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SORROW IN MY HEART. The weight of sorrow was literally crushing him! Perhaps the key to this is found in these words: _"God made him share our sin"_ (2 Corinthians 5:21). STAY HERE. He must be alone with his Father.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF IT IS POSSIBLE! No "make believe" here! There was no other way to make salvation possible! TAKE THIS CUP AWAY! The agony of betrayal, the trial and mockery, and the agony of death on the cross. BUT WHAT YOU WANT. Perfect faith. He is willing to do whatever the Father requires of him.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE RETURNED. Peter, James, and John are sleeping. Luke says their great grief made them sleep. It is said that condemned men usually sleep soundly the night before their execution.... [ Continue Reading ]
KEEP WATCH, AND PRAY. Not to avoid temptation, but so they will endure the temptation that must come to them. BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK. Romans 7:21-25.... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAIN A SECOND TIME. Luke adds _"more fervently,"_ and _"his sweat was like drops of blood._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FOUND THE DISCIPLES ASLEEP. Our Savior was Man as _well_ as God. He was _"tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin"_ (Hebrews 4:15). He wants human companionship in this time of crisis.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND PRAYED THE THIRD TIME. Praying the same prayer over again is not always ritual. Sometimes it shows intensity of feeling!... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE YOU STILL SLEEPING AND RESTING? He scolds them. They had not watched as they should have. The time has passed and the soldiers are coming.... [ Continue Reading ]
GET UP, LET US GO. The traitor and the enemy are here. DID GOD ANSWER CHRIST'S PRAYER? Hebrews 5:7 says he did! An angel came and strengthened him (Luke 22:43). A prayer to remove a crisis may be answered in two ways: (1) the crisis is taken away, and we remain the same; (2) we are made so strong th... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN JUDAS. ARRIVED. Judas knew where to look, since Jesus came here often. A LARGE CROWD. Roman soldiers, temple guards, priests, etc. (John 18:3; John 18:12). The Sanhedrin has sent them.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD GIVEN THE CROWD A SIGNAL. A kiss of friendship is the kiss of death.... [ Continue Reading ]
BE QUICK ABOUT IT, FRIEND! They seize Jesus and tie him up (John 18:12).... [ Continue Reading ]
DREW HIS SWORD. Peter (John 18:10). CUTTING OFF HIS EAR. John says the slaves' name was Machus. Jesus healed the man's ear (Luke 22:51).... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL WHO TAKE THE SWORD WILL DIE BY THE SWORD. A general fact. The sword is not to be used to defend truth or to spread the Kingdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
DON'T YOU KNOW? The Logos needs no human defenders. TWELVE ARMIES OF ANGELS. A Roman "army" was made up of more than 6,000 men. HOW COULD THE SCRIPTURES COME TRUE? God spoke through the prophets to tell about this. God's Plan was made before Creation.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THOUGH I WERE AN OUTLAW? Not a thief, but an outlaw like Barabbas (see Mark 15:7). This was the charge made against Christ (Luke 23:2). THEN ALL THE DISCIPLES. As soon as they capture Jesus, all the disciples run away into the darkness.... [ Continue Reading ]
TOOK HIM TO THE HOUSE OF CAIAPHAS. Annas, the former high priest, first questions Jesus (John 18:13). The Sanhedrin was gathered there, probably in the darkness of night.... [ Continue Reading ]
PETER FOLLOWED. At a distance, not wanting to be identified as a disciple.... [ Continue Reading ]
TRIED TO FIND SOME FALSE EVIDENCE. A charge that would "hold up" in court. No one could be condemned legally unless two witnesses testified to a charge punishable by death.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY. Any charge which would pass the Roman ruler.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS MAN SAID.' They told a distorted version of what Christ had said (John 2:19). Mark says that not even they could make their stories agree (Mark 14:59).... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE YOU NO ANSWER? But Jesus said not a word. I NOW PUT YOU ON OATH. This puts Jesus under a vow to tell the truth [which he did anyway]. TELL US IF YOU ARE THE MESSIAH. The high priest is asking two questions: (1) _Are you the Messiah?_ (2) _Are you the Son of God?_ A "yes" to the second question... [ Continue Reading ]
SO YOU SAY. That is: "You have declared the Truth in what you said." At the greatest moment of crisis in his life, Jesus breaks his silence to declare himself the Son of God! at the cost of his life. FROM THIS TIME ON. What they were doing right then, would raise Jesus to glory on the Cross, bring t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HIGH PRIEST TORE HIS CLOTHES. Symbolic. Compare Acts 14:14. BLASPHEMY! It was, if he is not God; it was not, if he is God. Jesus could not be a "good man" and make the claims he did UNLESS... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS GUILTY, AND MUST DIE. This is the formal sentence of the Sanhedrin [the Jewish Supreme Court]. Blasphemy is the charge they enter on their records. But since the Roman law did not recognize blasphemy as bringing the death sentence, Jesus was charged before Pilate as an outlaw (Luke 23:2; Mark... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THEY SPAT IN HIS FACE. Symbolic. This was the greatest insult a Jew could give (Deuteronomy 25:9). Even to spit in front of anyone was thought to be a great sin by the people of the Middle-East.... [ Continue Reading ]
PROPHESY FOR US, MESSIAH. Mark says he was blindfolded. These Jewish leaders could not be too cruel to a condemned prisoner! There is also a taunt here: "If you really were God, you would _know_ who hit you!... [ Continue Reading ]
PETER WAS SITTING OUTSIDE. He sat outside in the courtyard while the trial went on inside. This would be the Castle of Antonia. The courtyard was in the center, enclosed by rooms built around it. Doors and windows opened into the courtyard from the rooms [they had no "window glass"], so Peter and Jo... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HE DENIED IT. Just a few hours earlier, he had been ready to die with Jesus! His faith fails, as he sees his Lord seemingly helpless in the hands of his enemies. [_But notice_ Luke 22:31-32!]... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WENT ON OUT TO. Fear drives him out. ANOTHER SERVANT GIRL SAW HIM. Accuses Peter of being a disciple (compare Matthew 26:69).... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAIN PETER DENIED IT. This time with stronger language. "Swear" means with a vow [oath]. See Matthew 26:74.... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER A LITTLE WHILE. Luke says _about an hour._ John says it was _a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off_ who spoke. Each language has dialects, and Peter's clearly identified him as a Galilean. The man says this is proof that Peter is one of them [eleven of the Twelve were Galileans].... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN PETER MADE A vow. This time he makes it as strong as he can! [The TEV reconstructs the language of his "cursing and swearing."] _"May God punish me if I am not telling the truth!"_ I DO NOT KNOW THAT MAN! Peter knew he was telling a lie as he said this. JUST THEN A ROOSTER CROWED. And the words... [ Continue Reading ]
AND PETER REMEMBERED. Luke says the _Lord turned around and looked straight at Peter._ HE WENT OUT AND WEPT BITTERLY. He had sinned greatly! His heart is broken! [Notice the difference between Peter and Judas. Peter's sorrow makes him turn from sin and turn back to Christ. Judas' sorrow makes him ki... [ Continue Reading ]