Gospel of Matthew chapter 26 Jesus’ last hours before His crucifixion by Ron Bedell Introduction Matthew 26:1 signals the end of Christ’s Olivet Discourse with Christ’ statement, “when Jesus had finished all these sayings, He said unto His disciples.” The end of the Olivet Discourse marks the end of Christ’s five discourses to His disciples. When the Olivet Discourse is over on Tuesday Christ and His disciples return to Bethany Thursday night. Jesus and His disciples do not return to Jerusalem until Thursday morning. Jesus later describes the content of these discourses as “everything I have commanded you” (28:20). The content of these discourses and everything else the Lord says must be taught to disciples throughout the age until the Lord’s return. Jesus destiny with the cross moves inexorably forward. Having finished His Olivet Discourse He now spends the evening in Bethany which is where He spent each evening of the Holy Week (cf. 21:1, 17). In just two short days Jesus Christ would return to Jerusalem for the final hours of His life on earth. Christ declares to His disciples, “Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of Man is betrayed to be crucified.” (26:2) Outline 1. Final announcement of Christ’s death/Religious leaders plot to kill Jesus (Matthew 26:1-5; Mark 14:1-2; Luke 22:1-2; John 11:45-53) 2. Mary anoints Jesus for burial (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8) 3. Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6) 4. Jesus’ disciples prepare the Passover – Jesus’ Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13) 5. Jesus and His disciples have the Last Supper – the Passover (Matthew 26:20-25; Mark 14:17-26; Luke 22:14-30; John 13:21-30) 6. The Lord’s Supper is instituted (Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19-20) 7. Peter’s denial of Christ is predicted (Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-38; John 13:36-38) 8. Jesus’ three prayers in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1) 9. Jesus is betrayed and arrested in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12) 10. Six trials of Jesus – three religious trial and three government trials (Matthew 26:57 – Matthew 27:26; Mark 14:53-15:15; Luke 22:66-23:25; John 18:12-37) 11. Peter denies knowing Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-65; John 18:25-27) 12. Jesus is mocked and beaten (Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20; John 19:1-5) Matthew chapter 26 1. Final announcement of Christ’s death/Religious leaders plot to kill Jesus (Matthew 26:1-5; Mark 14:1-2; Luke 22:1-2; John 11:45-53) [1] And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, [2] Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. [3] Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, [4] And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. [5] But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people. When the Olivet Discourse was over Christ and His disciples were two days away from the Passover. Christ, now, predicts His death to His disciples four times (16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19; 26:2). The decision to put Jesus to death has already been made by Israel’s religious leaders (John 11:53) and they will meet at the palace of the high priest, Caiaphas. The manner and time they will arrest Jesus has been decided. They will not arrest Jesus on the Passover lest there be uproar among the people. 2. Mary anoints Jesus for burial (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8) [6] Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, [7] There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. [8] But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? [9] For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. [10] When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. [11] For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. [12] For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. [13] Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. Jesus’ friends made a supper for Him at the home of Simon the leper in Bethany. Bethany is just east of Jerusalem on the south slopes of the Mount of Olives. John 12:1-11 states who attended the supper: Jesus, His disciples, Lazarus, and Mary. Martha assisted with the serving. The woman who poured the oil on Jesus was Mary (John 12:3). The disciple who objected to this action was Judas Iscariot (John 12:4). The oil (perfume) was very expensive (Matthew 26:7). This oil was nard (Mark 14:3). It was worth a year’s wages (John 12:5). It was worth 300 denarii. The Lord was aware of the thoughts and the motives of the disciples. Judas Iscariot was not motivated by his concern for the poor (John 12:6). Judas Iscariot was a thief and he was concerned about the money not being put into the common purse which he controlled. Jesus reminded them the poor will always be with them and they will have many opportunities to show kindness toward to the poor. Mary’s beautiful sacrificial act prepared Christ’s body for burial and it became known throughout the world (Matthew 26:12). From this scene Judas went to the chief priests and offered to betray Jesus. 3. Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6) [14] Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, [15] And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. [16] And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. Judas went to the chief priests and made a deal with them. “How much will you give me if I turn Jesus over to you?” Though Judas was one of Jesus disciples he conspired with the chief priests. He bargained to hand Jesus over to the chief priests for 30 silver coins (Zechariah 11:12). As far as Judas was concerned the value of Jesus was the same price of a slave (Exodus 21:32). The value Judas placed on Jesus was much lower that the value Mary placed on Jesus. 4. Jesus’ disciples prepare the Passover – Jesus’ Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13) [17] Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? [18] And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. [19] And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the Passover. The events recorded in Matthew 26:17-30 took place on Thursday of the Passion Week. Jesus prepares to observe the Passover with His disciples on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This eight days of celebration was called the Feast of Unleavened Bread because during that time no bread made yeasts or leaven could be eaten. The Passover commemorates the final event of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt under Moses. 5. Jesus and His disciples have the Last Supper – the Passover (Matthew 26:20-25; Mark 14:17-26; Luke 22:14-30; John 13:21-30) [20] Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. [21] And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. [22] And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? [23] And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. [24] The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. [25] Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. When evening came Jesus entered the prepared room, the upper room (Luke 22:12), to partake of the Passover supper with His 12 disciples. During the celebration Jesus said that one of His disciples sitting with Him would betray Him. This is fifth time that Christ predicted His death (16:21; 17:22; 20:28; 26:2; 26:21). Here Christ predicted His death would come about by betrayal. When Jesus made that prediction the festive nature of that celebration was shattered. Each disciple was suddenly worried that he might be the betrayer (v. 22). Jesus soon identifies the traitor: a. The traitor is one of the twelve b. Then Christ said the traitor will be the one who dipped his hand with me in the dish. c. Then Jesus lets Judas know that he is the traitor (v. 25). 6. The Lord’s Supper is instituted (Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19-20) [26] And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. [27] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; [28] For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. [29] But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom. [30] And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ who has already come, who by dying He delivered us from the penalty of our sins which would have been hell. In special manner set before us the Lord’s Supper is a reminder of what Jesus already did for us. Obviously the bread and the wine are not the literal body and blood of Jesus. The Lord’s Supper is, therefore, brought to our remembrance that Christ has made atonement for sin and that God through Christ has reconciled man back to Himself. During the Passover Feast Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper which is also called the Lord’s Table (1 Corinthians 10:21). Unleavened bread was eaten at the Passover. This is one of two ordinances; baptism is the other. “An ordinance is a symbolic rite setting forth the primary facts of Christian truth and obligatory for all believers. Believers are to observe two ordinances – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.” The Grace New Testament Commentary, Vol., 1, p. 124 “What is remarkable about the Lord’s Supper is that when Jesus uses the words ‘My body’ and ‘My blood,’ He is telling these Jewish men that when they think of this meal from henceforth, they are to think of Him rather than Moses! The memorial of Christ’s death and the deliverance it brought was to supersede the memorial of Israel’s deliverance under Moses. In the words ‘My blood of the new covenant’ Jesus is referring to the new covenant predicted in Jeremiah 31:31-34 and spoken of in Hebrews 8:6-13, the one that would supersede and replace the old Mosaic covenant. This covenant is based on Christ’s once for all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10-12), initially effecting comprehensive, permanent forgiveness of sins in a moment of time (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12) and concluding with a perfect, intimate, abiding relationship with God in eternity (Jeremiah 31:33-34; Hebrews 8:9-11). Jesus’ blood would be the basis for inaugurating the New Covenant (cf. Exodus 24:8). It would ‘shed for many for the remission of sins’ (Matthew 26:28). The Passover recalled the emancipation of Israel from slavery. The Last Supper is to remind believers in Christ of deliverance from their sins. The substitutionary death of Christ was necessary to forgive sins.” (The Grace New Testament Commentary, Vol. 1, p. 124) “This will be the last time Jesus will drink the wine with His disciples until He comes into His Father’s Kingdom at His Second Coming. The Lord Jesus shows here that He and His disciples will both eat and drink in the age to come! Resurrected bodies will nonetheless enjoy table fellowship over meals.” (The Grace New Testament Commentary, Vol. 1., P. 124) 7. Peter’s denial of Christ is predicted (Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-38; John 13:36-38) [31] Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. [32] But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. [33] Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. [34] Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. [35] Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Jesus and His disciples were headed for the Mount of Olives. Jesus reminded His disciples that soon they would all forsake Him. This would be fulfillment of Zechariah 13:7, “…smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.” In verse 32, Jesus promised victory of death. Jesus promised He would meet His disciples in Galilee after His resurrection. All of Christ’s disciples were from Galilee. Peter strongly rejects the notion that he would deny Christ. Jesus told Peter that he would deny Jesus three times that same night before the crowing of the rooster in the early morning. Peter could not believe that he would forsake Jesus and again Peter reaffirmed his devotion to Jesus. 8. Jesus’ three prayers in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1) [36] Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. [37] And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. [38] Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. [39] And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. [40] And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? [41] Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. [42] He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. [43] And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. [44] And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. [45] Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [46] Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. The Garden at Gethsemane, a place whose name literally means “oil press,” is located on a slope of the Mount of Olives just across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem. A garden of ancient olive trees stands there to this day. Jesus frequently went to Gethsemane with His disciples to pray (John 18:2). Christ’s three prayers are recorded in vv. 39, 42, 44. Christ was in agony, not over the physical death. But He was in agony because He was about to be separated from His intimate relationship with God the Father by experiencing spiritual separation from the Father (27:46). On the cross Christ became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ prayed three times this cup would pass from Him. Christ came to His three closest disciples: Peter, James, and John (v. 37) desiring that they would watch and pray with Him, but they fell asleep. Then Jesus announced that He is about to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. 9. Jesus is betrayed and arrested in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12) [47] And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. [48] Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. [49] And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. [50] And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. [51] And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priests, and smote off his ear. [52] Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. [53] Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? [54] But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? [55] In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. [56] But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. The conspiracy and betrayal of the Lord Jesus Christ is the most important betrayal in human history. There were at least 24 other conspiracies recorded in the Bible but the betrayal of Jesus was the most important. The Bible is not a book that hides human sin. But rather the Bible exposes man for what he really is – a sinner! Do conspiracies exist today? Absolutely! Yes! Conspiracies are nothing new. Conspiracies have existed all through human history, including today in the United States Government. Men conspire against their own fellow man because man is a sinner. David and Jesus were betrayed in the same place. David was betrayed by a friend (Ahithophel) while crossing the Kidron and going up to the Mount of Olives (2 Samuel 15:23, 30-31). And Jesus was betrayed by His trusted friend Judas while crossing the Kidron and going to the Mount of Olives. As Jesus spoke in the Garden of Gethsemane Judas arrived with a large crowd arrived with him. Judas was accompanied by Roman soldiers (John 18:3) and Jews from the temple guard (Luke 22:52) who were sent by the chief priests and elders. The crowd had swords and clubs (Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43) and torches and lanterns (John 18:3). The large crowd was necessary to make sure Jesus did not escape. A detachment of about 600 Roman soldiers showed up with the Jews to arrest Jesus (John 18:3-6). Judas had already planned a sign with the officials. The One Judas kissed would be the One to arrest. Judas pointed Jesus out because Judas had agreed to be the formal accuser incase a trial was called. In John 18:4 Jesus asked them, “Whom seek ye?” Jesus was completely conscious of all the events coming on Him. He was not taken by surprise. He knew why the soldiers and the temple guards were there with Judas. In John 18:5 they said they seek Jesus of Nazareth. Christ words, I AM HE, caused everyone to fall backward (John 18:6). 600 Roman soldiers were literally knocked flat by the power of God! In verse 51, Pete cut off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest (John 18:10). In verse 52, Jesus restrains Peter from doing any more harm and prevents harm from coming on Peter. The great evangelistic mission of the apostles was yet to come. Jesus is in complete control of this situation. His coming trials and death are not forced on Him. But rather, He voluntarily submitted to them (John 10:18). Christ could have called 12 legions of angels to destroy the world and rescue Himself, but He didn’t. Angels are very powerful beings. One angel slew 185,000 Assyrians. Another angel slew all the first born of Egypt. Jesus does not in tend to resist their arrest and then all His disciples left Him. Jesus was arrested about 3 A.M. Between 3 A.M. and 9 A.M. Jesus was arrested, tried six times, savagely beaten, and put on the cross. Jesus was on the cross between 9 A.M. and 3 P.M. 10. Six trials of Jesus – three religious trial and three government trials (Matthew 26:57 – Matthew 27:26; Mark 14:53-15:15; Luke 22:66-23:25; John 18:12-37) [57] And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. [58] But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priests palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. [59] Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; [60] But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, [61] And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. [62] And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? [63] But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. [64] Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. [65] Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. [66] What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. [67] Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, [68] Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? [69] Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. [70] But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. [71] And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. [72] And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. [73] And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. [74] Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. [75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Matthew 27:1-26 (Six trials of Jesus) [1] When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: [2] And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. [3] Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, [4] Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. [5] And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. [6] And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. [7] And they took counsel, and bought with them the potters field, to bury strangers in. [8] Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. [9] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; [10] And gave them for the potters field, as the Lord appointed me. [11] And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. [12] And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. [13] Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? [14] And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. [15] Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. [16] And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. [17] Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? [18] For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. [19] When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. [20] But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. [21] The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. [22] Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. [23] And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. [24] When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. [25] Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. [26] Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Jesus’ Six Trials A. Religious Trails a. Christ appears before Annas…………………….John 18:12-14 b. Christ appears before Caiaphas………………..Matthew 26:57-68 c. Christ appears before the Sanhedrin ………Matthew 27:1-2 B. Government Trials a. Christ appears before Pilate…………………….John 18:28-38 b. Christ appears before Herod…………………..Luke 23:6-12 c. Christ appears before Pilate…………………….John 18:39-19:6 Jesus was arrested by the soldiers in Gethsemane and taken to Annas who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas (John 18:12-13, 19-24). This could have been a delaying tactic to give Caiaphas time to assemble the Sanhedrin quickly (Matthew 26:59; Acts 4:15). Peter was following the Lord from a distance and came into the court yard of the high priest home to await the outcome. (You can follow along in The Bible Knowledge Commentary as well.) 26:59-68 The purpose of Jesus’ trials was to try to find some legal basis on which to condemn Jesus to death. Judas’ testimony was crucial to the religious leader’s case, but Judas was nowhere to be found. As a result the religious leaders sought any false witness they could find against Jesus, which was a highly unusual court procedure, attempting to find anything that would be worthy to condemn Jesus to death. Many false witnesses appeared, but none of them could agree on anything they said against Jesus. The religious leaders finally came across two witnesses who said, “I able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.” Jesus had made this statement about three years earlier at the beginning of His ministry (John 2:19). When Jesus said this He was not referring to the temple building, but to His body. This statement by the two witnesses was soon recalled, before Christ’s crucifixion. Jesus refused to answer any of the charges against Him because He was never officially charged with any crime. The high priest attempted to get Jesus to respond to the accusations brought against Him (Matthew 26:62). Jesus still remained silent until the high priest placed Jesus under sacred oath. Once the high priest charged Jesus under an oath by the living God, Jesus had to answer truthfully. Caiaphas insisted that Jesus answer if He was the Christ (the Messiah), the Son of God (v. 63). (The explanation of the trials of Christ in the Bible Knowledge Commentary is very good and I would like to quote Matthew 26:63 to Matthew 27:26 from the Bible Knowledge Commentary). Jesus Christ gives a strong statement of His claim to deity. This is why He was crucified. “Jesus answered in the affirmative, adding that in the future He would sit at the right hand of the Mighty One (cf. 25:31) and He would return on the clouds of heaven. Here is a clear statement of Christ’s deity, clearly understood as such by the high priest, who immediately tore his clothes, which he was forbidden to do by the Law (Leviticus 21:10), and declared that Jesus had spoken blasphemy (Matthew 26:65). He said there was no further need of witnesses for the Lord had revealed His guilt. The people had only two choices. One was to acknowledge that Jesus spoke the truth, and fall down and worship Him, as Messiah. The other is to reject Him as a blasphemer and put Him to death. They chose the latter, thus sealing their rejection of the One who came as their Messiah-King. No further evidence was examined at this point. No one defended Jesus or pointed to the works He had performed among them for the past three years. It appeared that the Sanhedrin had Jesus where they wanted Him. Jesus had just spoken words of blasphemy which all heard. Contrary to all Jewish and Roman law, they took it on themselves to begin to punish the accused. They spit in His face…struck Him with their fists, and slapped Him. They asked Him to prophesy, telling, if He could, who had just hit Him. These actions they continued doing, seemingly enjoying every moment of it. The Lord remained silent throughout this terrible ordeal, submitting Himself to His Father’s will (cf. Isaiah 53:7; 1 Peter 2:23). The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 27:1-2 Jesus’ first Jewish trials occurred under the cover of darkness. Since Jewish law required trials to be conducted during the day, the chief priests and the elders of the people realized an official trial was necessary. The brief trial recorded in Matthew 27:1 was simply for the court to reaffirm what had taken place earlier. The court decided that Jesus must die, but they did not have the power to put that decision into action (John 18:31). To get a death sentence, they needed to take the case to Pilate, the governor, the procurator of Judea and Samaria, A.D. 26-36 (cf. Luke 3:1). Jesus was therefore bound and brought by the Jews to Pilate. Pilate’s home was in Caesarea, but at this festival time, he was in his Jerusalem palace. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 27:3-10 When Judas Ascariot realized the outcome of the deliberations, he was filled with remorse and went back to the officials. He had not envisioned this as the outcome of his betrayal, but what he had hoped to accomplish is not mentioned in the Biblical text. He knew he had betrayed innocent blood for he admitted that Jesus was not worthy of death. The religious leaders were unsympathetic, pointing out that that was his problem, not theirs. Judas decided he had to get rid of the money he had received for betraying the Lord. The money was apparently a continual reminder of his action and convicted him of his sin. He went to the temple and threw the money into the temple (the holy place, not the temple precincts). Unlike Peter, however, Judas’ remorse did not include repentance, for he went from the temple and hanged himself. Judas’ act of throwing the betrayal money into the temple caused the religious leaders some problems. They did not feel the money should be put into the temple coffers since it was blood money, money paid to bring about a man’s death. Yet they had had no scruples about giving it out in the first place (Matthew 26:15). They decided to take the money and buy a parcel of land (apparently in Judas’ name, Acts 1:18) in which to bury foreigners. The parcel, which was potter’s field, a place where potters dug for clay, became known as the field of blood (Matthew 27:8). Matthew viewed these events as the fulfillment of a prophecy of Jeremiah. But the prophecy Matthew quoted was primarily from Zechariah, not Jeremiah. There is a close resemblance Matthew 27:9-10 and Zechariah 11:12-13. But there are also similarities between Matthew’s words and the ideas in Jeremiah 19:1, 4, 6, and 11. Why then did Matthew refer only to Jeremiah? The solution to this problem is probably that Matthew had both prophets in mind but only mentioned ‘the major’ prophet by name. The trial before the Roman authorities The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Matthew 27:11-26 27:11-14 Compared with the other Gospels, Matthew’s record of Jesus’ trial before Pilate is rather brief. Luke even mentioned that Pilate sent Jesus to Herod when he learned Jesus was a Galilean (Luke 23:6-12). That gesture brought about a friendship between Pilate and Herod that had not existed before. Matthew mentioned only one trial before Pilate and the one ‘accusation’ that Jesus is the King of the Jews. The kingship of Jesus, of course, was Matthew’s main theme. When Pilate asked Jesus, Are you the King of the Jews? The answer came in the affirmative. But as John recorded Jesus’ kingdom at that time was not a political kingdom to rival Rome (John 18:33-37). Jesus was no threat to Roman rule. Pilate realized and sought to release Jesus. While other accusations were presented by the chief priests and elders, Jesus did not answer them, and Pilate was greatly surprised. Jesus need not answer those charges, for He was not being tried for those accusations. Instead He was on trial because they said He claimed to be the King of the Jews, the Messiah (Matthew 26:63-64). Since Pilate had also declared Jesus’ innocence (John 18:38), there was no reason for Him to answer the accusations. 27:15-23 Pilate had been warned by his wife to be careful how he dealt with this prisoner, for he was an innocent man (Matthew 27:19). She suffered a great deal through a dream concerning Jesus and shared her experience with her husband. To speculate beyond the words of the text on the content of her dream would be useless. Since Pilate Jesus was innocent he tried to have Him released. It was a custom of a governor to release a prisoner each year at the Passover in order to gain acceptance with the Jews. His plan to bring about the release of Jesus involved a notorious prisoner named Barabbas, an insurrectionist (John 18:40) and murderer (Mark 15:7). Pilate thought that surely the people of the nation loved Jesus, their King, and that only the leaders were envious of Him and of the people’s acclaim to Him (Matthew 27:18). He reasoned that if the people had a choice they surely would release Jesus, not the notorious Barabbas. However, Pilate failed to grasp the determination of the religious leaders to do away with Jesus, for they persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. When Pilate asked the crowd what he should do…with Jesus who is called Christ…they all answered, Crucify Him! The Greek text shows their cry was one word, ‘Crucify.’ One can almost picture this scene, somewhat like a football stadium in which the crowd shouts ‘Defense!’ Their cheer was Crucify! Crucify!’ When Pilate sought further information from the crowd as to Jesus’ crimes, the crowd simply shouted…louder, Crucify! 27:24-26 Pilate realized he was getting nowhere with the crowd, and their threats to report him to Caesar (John 19:12) concerned him. His record with Caesar was not good, and he did not want word of a rival king to reach Caesar’s ears, especially if Pilate had released that king. He therefore took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, symbolizing his desire to absolve himself from being involved in putting an innocent man to death (Deuteronomy 21:6-9). But his words, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood did not make him innocent’ (Acts 4:27). Such an act did not remove Pilate’s guilt from this travesty of justice. When Pilate turned the responsibility over to the Jews (Matthew 27:24), however, they readily accepted it. They said, ‘Let His blood be on us and on our children!’ Their words sadly came to pass as the judgment of God came on many of them and their children in A.D. 70 when the Romans destroyed the nation and the temple. In spite of Pilate’s four declaration off Jesus’ innocence (Luke 23:14, 20, 22; John 19:4), he fulfilled his commitment to the Jews by releasing Barabbas and turning Jesus over for crucifixion after He had been flogged.” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, NT, pp.85-88) For more information on the HARMONY OF EVENTS AT JESUS’ CRUCIFIXION on p. 88, NT, I would encourage you to purchase the Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament. 11. Peter denies knowing Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-65; John 18:25-27) [69] Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. [70] But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. [71] And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. [72] And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. [73] And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. [74] Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. [75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times in this passage (vv. 70, 72, 74). While Christ was undergoing His trials, Peter was undergoing testing. Peter had been following the Lord. He was sitting in the courtyard of the house of the high priest. Peter had three opportunities to speak up for his Lord but he denied Christ each time. Immediately after Peter denied Christ the third time a rooster crowed. This reminded Peter of what the Lord had said, “You will deny Me three times.” (Matthew 26:34) Peter wept bitterly. 12. Jesus is mocked and beaten (Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20; John 19:1-5) [27] Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. [28] And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. [29] And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! [30] And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. [31] And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. Jesus was brought into the Praetorium. This was the common meeting courtyard for the Roman soldiers. There were about 600 Roman soldiers present when Jesus entered this courtyard. Pilate’s entire garrison of 600 Roman soldiers surrounded Jesus. The Roman soldiers stripped Christ naked; they mocked Him and beat Him to a pulp. a. They put on Christ a scarlet robe, clothing for a King. b. They placed a crown of thorns on His head. c. They gave Him a staff for a “scepter. They knelt before Him and mocked Him by saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spit on Jesus and struck Him again and again with the staff. Jesus was beaten so badly that few would even recognize Him.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 04:35:44 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015