MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:1 The Crucified Messiah. Matthew narrates the events leading to Jesus’ death: (1) the Passover and Lord’s Supper and events in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:1); (2) Jesus’ arrest, trials, and conviction (Matthew 26:47); and (3) Jesus’ beating, crucifixion, death, and burial (Matt... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:2 The PASSOVER was celebrated annually in remembrance of Israel’s exodus from Egypt (see notes on Exodus 12). SON OF MAN. See note on Matt. 8:20. This is the fourth time that Jesus predicts his arrest and crucifixion (see Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22; Matthew 20:17).... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:3 CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE ELDERS OF THE PEOPLE. Representatives of the Sanhedrin, the ruling body in Jerusalem, but not the full assembly. PALACE. The private residence of the high priest. CAIAPHAS was high priest A.D. 18 to 36. He was the son-in-law of Annas, the previous h... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:5 FEAST. Thousands of pilgrims made the journey to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. There was much national pride as they recalled their ancestors’ liberation from bondage in Egypt. UPROAR. Popular uprisings were common, especially during such feasts. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = d... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:6 Matthew records this account of Jesus’ anointing at Bethany thematically. John records it chronologically, on Saturday night before Jesus’ triumphal entry (John 12:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:7 A WOMAN. Identified in John 12:3 as Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus. EXPENSIVE OINTMENT. “Pure nard” (see Mark 14:3; John 12:3), a perfume oil used for solemn acts of devotion (see note on Mark 14:3–5). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:9 LARGE SUM. The perfume was valued at “more than three hundred denarii” (Mark 14:5), approximately a year’s wages for the average worker. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:14 ONE OF THE TWELVE. Judas’s treachery is heightened by the fact that he is one of Jesus’ chosen apostles. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:15 THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER. In the OT, this was the penalty paid by the owner of an ox that gored a slave to death (Exodus 21:32). Equivalent to about four months’ wages for a laborer, this meager sum suggests the low esteem in which both Judas and the chief priests held J... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:17 FIRST DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD. The Festival of Unleavened Bread lasted seven days in the Jewish month of Nisan (late March or early April; see Leviticus 23:5). PREPARE FOR YOU TO EAT THE PASSOVER. Preparations for the Passover were made on Thursday afternoon. Jesus and... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:20 RECLINED AT TABLE. In formal dining, the host took the center seat at a U-shaped series of low tables. He was surrounded by the most honored guests on either side. The guests reclined with their heads toward the tables and their feet toward the wall. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images =... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:23 HE WHO HAS DIPPED HIS HAND IN THE DISH WITH ME. The custom was to take a piece of bread or a piece of meat in bread and dip it into a common bowl of sauce on the table. Each of those around the room had done so. At this point the betrayer could have been any of the Twel... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:24 AS IT IS WRITTEN. A reference to the suffering servant prophesies in Isaiah 42:1. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:25 RABBI. The larger group around the table addresses Jesus as “Lord” (v. Matthew 26:22), but Judas addresses him as “Rabbi,” or “Teacher.” There is no record of Judas ever calling Jesus “Lord.” YOU HAVE SAID SO is a Greek expression that deflects responsibility back upon... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:26 BREAD... THIS IS MY BODY. Jesus’ physical death fulfills the ceremonies surrounding the Passover lamb and other OT sacrifices. He will become the sacrificial atonement for the people’s sins. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=ima... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:27 CUP. Most likely the third of four cups in the Passover observance—the cup of blessing, or the cup of redemption. It corresponds to God’s third promise in Exodus 6:6. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:28 BLOOD OF THE COVENANT. The cup foreshadows the shedding of Jesus’ blood and his absorbing of God’s wrath. This opens the way for the redemption of all peoples through the new covenant relationship with God that was promised to the people of Israel (see Jeremiah 31:31, J... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:29 DRINK IT NEW WITH YOU IN MY FATHER’S KINGDOM. The messianic banquet (compare Matthew 8:11; Revelation 19:9). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:30 HYMN. Perhaps Psalms 113:1, or Psalms 136:1. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:31 YOU WILL ALL FALL AWAY. All the disciples will forsake Jesus and run (v. Matthew 26:56). They will still be his disciples, but they will fail to stand with him against persecution. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:34 ROOSTER CROWS. Marking the sunrise. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:36 GETHSEMANE means “oil press,” indicating a garden area on the Mount of Olives where olive oil was prepared. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:39 FELL ON HIS FACE. In this typical posture of complete humility in prayer, Jesus lays his life before his Father. He prepares to accomplish his life’s mission—to bear the sins of the world—which is what THIS CUP signifies. See note on 20:22–23. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = docume... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:41 Their TEMPTATION was to sleep and thus to fail in their responsibility to support Jesus. It may also refer to the temptation to deny Jesus when he is led away to the cross (see vv. Matthew 26:31). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, l... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:47 ONE OF THE TWELVE. See note on v. 14. The GREAT CROWD included Roman soldiers assigned to the temple for security, carrying SWORDS, and temple police and personal guards of the CHIEF PRIESTS and Sanhedrin (ELDERS), carrying CLUBS. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:48 KISS. A customary way for friends in ancient Israel to greet one another now becomes the means of betrayal. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:49 RABBI. See note on v. 25. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:50 When Jesus addresses Judas as FRIEND, he uses a word meaning “acquaintance,” rather than a word implying closeness or affection. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:51 ONE OF THOSE WHO WERE WITH JESUS. Simon Peter (see John 18:10). SERVANT OF THE HIGH PRIEST. Malchus (see John 18:10). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:53 TWELVE LEGIONS. 72,000 soldiers. A Roman legion at full strength had 6,000 soldiers. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:56 Compare Psalms 22:1; Isaiah 53:1; Zechariah 12:1. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:57 The headquarters of CAIAPHAS THE HIGH PRIEST was likely a mansion, probably on the eastern slope of Jerusalem, overlooking the temple area. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:59 THE WHOLE COUNCIL (the “Sanhedrin”) need not include all 70 members of the highest court of the Jews. It may indicate only those hastily assembled in the middle of the night (23 members made a quorum). The Romans were ultimately in control of all judicial proceedings, b... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:61 I AM ABLE TO DESTROY THE TEMPLE OF GOD. Jesus’ opponents misquoted this saying and took it out of context (see John 2:19). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:63 Jesus is SILENT, fulfilling Isaiah 53:7 and making his accusers responsible for his death. TELL US IF YOU ARE THE CHRIST. Caiaphas wants Jesus to admit to this charge so that he can be accused of rebellion against Rome and be tried before Pilate. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = doc... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:64 YOU HAVE SAID SO. See note on v. 25. Jesus declares that he is not only the human Messiah anticipated by the Jews but also the divine SON OF MAN (see Daniel 7:13; note on Matthew 8:20) who sits at the RIGHT HAND of God (Psalms 110:1). ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:65 TORE HIS ROBES. Such an action was normally prohibited for the high priest (Leviticus 10:6; Leviticus 21:10), but Jesus’ astounding claim causes a strong response. BLASPHEMY. Because Jesus claims divine status as the Son of Man. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:66 If Jesus is lying by claiming to be divine, then indeed he DESERVES DEATH according to Jewish law (see Leviticus 24:10). The irony is that he will be executed for telling the truth. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.lengt... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:71 OATH. See Matthew 5:33. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:73 All of Jesus’ disciples except Judas were from Galilee. Judeans looked down on Galileans because of their regional ACCENT. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 26:74 CURSE... SWEAR. Most likely calling upon God’s wrath to strike him if he is lying. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]