Matthew - Chapter 26

Matthew 26.1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Matthew 26.2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Matthew 26.3 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, Matthew 26.4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. Matthew 26.5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people. Matthew 26.6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, Matthew 26.7 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. Matthew 26.8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? Matthew 26.9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. Matthew 26.10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. Matthew 26.11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. Matthew 26.12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Matthew 26.13 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. Matthew 26.14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, Matthew 26.15 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. Matthew 26.16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. Matthew 26.17 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? Matthew 26.18 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. Matthew 26.19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. Matthew 26.20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. Matthew 26.21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Matthew 26.22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? Matthew 26.23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. Matthew 26.24 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. Matthew 26.25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. Matthew 26.26 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. Matthew 26.27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; Matthew 26.28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26.29 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 Father’s kingdom. Matthew 26.30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Matthew 26.31 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. Matthew 26.32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Matthew 26.33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Matthew 26.34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Matthew 26.35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Matthew 26.36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. Matthew 26.37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Matthew 26.38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. Matthew 26.39 And he went a little farther, 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. Matthew 26.40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Matthew 26.41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26.42 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. Matthew 26.43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. Matthew 26.44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Matthew 26.45 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. Matthew 26.46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. Matthew 26.47 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. Matthew 26.48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. Matthew 26.49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. Matthew 26.50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him. Matthew 26.51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Matthew 26.52 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. Matthew 26.53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26.54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? Matthew 26.55 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. Matthew 26.56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. Matthew 26.57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Matthew 26.58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Matthew 26.59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; Matthew 26.60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, Matthew 26.61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. Matthew 26.62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? Matthew 26.63 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. Matthew 26.64 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. Matthew 26.65 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. Matthew 26.66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Matthew 26.67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Matthew 26.68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? Matthew 26.69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. Matthew 26.70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. Matthew 26.71 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. Matthew 26.72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. Matthew 26.73 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. Matthew 26.74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. Matthew 26.75 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 : Chapter 26

The Events Preceding the Crucifixion in Matthew 26

Chapter 26 of the Gospel of Matthew immerses us in the dramatic events preceding the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. How does Jesus face his final hour? This chapter recounts the conspiracy against Jesus, his anointing in Bethany, the Last Supper, his agony in Gethsemane, as well as Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial. In this context, Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper and undergoes an unfair trial.

These powerful events reveal Christ's sacrificial love and highlight human fragility in the face of hardship. We invite you to consider with us five biblical passages that delve deeper into the redemptive themes of this foundational chapter.

1. 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and after giving thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper, he took the cup and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this every time you drink it in remembrance of me.’” »

This passage, reported by the apostle Paul, recounts the institution of the Lord's Supper, resonating with the story in Matthew 26:26-28.

2. Mark 14:36

“And he said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me, yet not what I will, but what you will.’” »

This parallel verse reflects Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, as described in Matthew 26:39, illustrating Christ's acceptance of God's will.

3. Zechariah 11:12-13

"I said to them, 'If you think it's better, pay me; if not, don't pay.' Then they paid me 30 pieces of silver. The Lord said to me, 'Throw to the potters this magnificent value with which they have valued me!'" I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potters of the Lord's house."

This prophecy, quoted in Matthew 27:9-10, is fulfilled in the betrayal of Judas, mentioned in Matthew 26:15.

4. John 18:10-11

"Simon Peter, who was carrying a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. This servant's name was Malchus. Jesus, however, ordered Peter, "Put away your sword! Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?"

This incident, parallel to the one recorded in Matthew 26:51-52, shows Jesus' willing surrender in the face of violence.

5. Isaiah 53:7

"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; Like a lamb led to the slaughter, and like a sheep before its shearers that is silent, he did not open his mouth."

This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus' silence before his accusers, as described in Matthew 26:62-63, testifying to his submission to God's will.

By meditating on these passages, we are called to understand the depth of Jesus' sacrifice and to commit ourselves to a life of renewed faith, inspired by his unconditional love.