Matthew 26
The Love That Did Not Turn Back
Matthew 26 takes us from a meal in Bethany to the dark hours before Jesus’ death. While others plot, betray, run away, and deny Him, Jesus freely gives Himself to carry out His Father’s saving plan.
Walking Through Matthew 26
A Gift of Love and a Price of Betrayal (Matthew 26:1-16)
1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he told his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people met together in the palace of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas. 4 They planned to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, so that there won’t be a riot among the people.” 6 Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfumed oil, and she poured it on his head as he was at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they became indignant and said, “Why this waste? 9 It could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor!” 10 When Jesus learned of this, he said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a good service for me. 11 For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me! 12 When she poured this oil on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” 14 Then one of the twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me to betray him into your hands?” So they set out 30 silver coins for him. 16 From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray him.Matthew 26:1-16 · NET Bible
Jesus tells His disciples that His death is near. Meanwhile, the leading priests and elders meet at Caiaphas’s home to plan His arrest and death. They fear a riot during the feast, but Jesus already knows when His suffering will come.
In Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, a woman pours costly perfume on Jesus’ head. The disciples call it wasteful. Jesus calls it a beautiful act that prepares His body for burial. His words about the poor do not excuse neglect. They explain that this moment with Him is special and brief. Her gift will be remembered wherever the good news is told.
Then Judas agrees to hand Jesus over for thirty silver coins. I notice the sharp contrast: one person gives something costly to honor Jesus; another seeks payment to betray Him.
A Meal That Points to the Cross (Matthew 26:17-30)
17 Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I will observe the Passover with my disciples at your house.”’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had instructed them, and they prepared the Passover. 20 When it was evening, he took his place at the table with the twelve. 21 And while they were eating he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” 22 They became greatly distressed and each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus replied, “You have said it yourself.” 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” 27 And after taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, that is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, from now on I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.Matthew 26:17-30 · NET Bible
The disciples follow Jesus’ directions and prepare the Passover meal. That evening, He tells the twelve that one of them will betray Him. Their sadness turns into searching questions. Jesus makes clear that His death belongs to God’s plan, yet the betrayer remains responsible for his choice. God’s rule does not make human evil innocent.
During the meal, Jesus gives the bread and cup a meaning centered on Himself. The bread points to His body. The cup points to His blood, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. His death will establish God’s covenant, His binding promise to His people.
I do not want us to miss the hope at this table. Jesus speaks not only of death but also of sharing the cup again in His Father’s kingdom. After singing, they leave for the Mount of Olives.
Weak Disciples and a Willing Savior (Matthew 26:31-46)
31 Then Jesus said to them, “This night you will all fall away because of me, for it is written: “‘ I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. ’ 32 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” 34 Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.” And all the disciples said the same thing. 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done.” 43 He came again and found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open. 44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is approaching, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer is approaching!”Matthew 26:31-46 · NET Bible
Jesus says the disciples will all fall away that night, as Scripture foretold. Yet He also promises to meet them in Galilee after He rises. Their failure will not cancel His purpose. Peter insists that he will remain faithful, even unto death. Jesus tells him that before the rooster crows, he will deny Him three times. The others also promise loyalty.
At Gethsemane, Jesus takes Peter and the two sons of Zebedee farther into the garden. He feels deep sorrow and asks them to stay awake. Three times He prays, yielding to His Father’s will. The cup means the suffering He is about to face, including bearing judgment for sin.
The disciples sleep when they should watch and pray. I see both human weakness and Jesus’ steady obedience here. He does not pretend the cost is small. He accepts it.
Jesus Does Not Resist Arrest (Matthew 26:47-56)
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 (Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him!”) 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and took hold of Jesus and arrested him. 51 But one of those with Jesus grabbed his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father and that he would send me more than 12 legions of angels right now? 54 How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled?” 55 At that moment Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple courts, yet you did not arrest me. 56 But this has happened so that the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.Matthew 26:47-56 · NET Bible
Judas arrives with an armed crowd sent by the leading priests and elders. He uses a kiss, normally a sign of friendship, to identify Jesus for arrest. One of Jesus’ companions draws a sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus stops the violence and warns about its deadly course.
Jesus is not trapped because He lacks help. He says His Father could send a vast army of angels. But He chooses the path that fulfills Scripture. His surrender is willing, not helpless.
He also exposes the crowd’s secretive actions. He had taught openly in the temple, yet they had not arrested Him there. Now they come armed as though He were a dangerous criminal. As the Scriptures are fulfilled, every disciple leaves Him and runs away. Jesus continues toward the cross without their support.
The True King Before His Accusers (Matthew 26:57-68)
57 Now the ones who had arrested Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, in whose house the experts in the law and the elders had gathered. 58 But Peter was following him from a distance, all the way to the high priest’s courtyard. After going in, he sat with the guards to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were trying to find false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find anything, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 62 So the high priest stood up and said to him, “Have you no answer? What is this that they are testifying against you?” 63 But Jesus was silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Now you have heard the blasphemy! 66 What is your verdict?” They answered, “He is guilty and deserves death.” 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy for us, you Christ! Who hit you?”Matthew 26:57-68 · NET Bible
Jesus is taken to Caiaphas, where the religious leaders have gathered. Peter follows at a distance and sits in the courtyard to see what will happen. Inside, the council seeks false evidence that will support a death sentence. Many false witnesses appear. Finally, two speak about Jesus’ claim concerning the temple.
Jesus remains silent before these charges. But when the high priest puts Him under oath and asks whether He is the Messiah, God’s promised King and Son, Jesus answers. He points to His coming place at God’s right hand and His return on the clouds as the Son of Man.
The high priest calls this blasphemy—an offense against God’s honor. The council declares Jesus deserving of death. They spit on Him, strike Him, and mock Him. The terrible irony is that they dishonor the very One who truly reveals God.
When Peter’s Confidence Breaks (Matthew 26:69-75)
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A slave girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it in front of them all: “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” 71 When he went out to the gateway, another slave girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.” 72 He denied it again with an oath, “I do not know the man!” 73 After a little while, those standing there came up to Peter and said, “You really are one of them too—even your accent gives you away!” 74 At that he began to curse, and he swore with an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.Matthew 26:69-75 · NET Bible
While Jesus openly acknowledges who He is, Peter denies knowing Him. A servant girl first identifies Peter as someone who was with Jesus. He denies it in front of everyone. Another servant girl recognizes him near the gateway, and he denies it again, this time with an oath. Then others point to his accent as evidence that he belongs with Jesus’ followers.
Peter responds with curses and another oath, insisting that he does not know Jesus. Immediately, the rooster crows. Peter remembers Jesus’ warning, goes outside, and weeps bitterly.
Matthew leaves Peter here in grief. We should not rush past the weight of his failure. Yet Jesus had already spoken of meeting His disciples after rising. I find hope in that order: Jesus knew their weakness before they understood it themselves.
- Covenant — God’s binding promise, established through Jesus’ blood for the forgiveness of sins.
- Watchfulness — Staying alert to weakness and depending on God in prayer.
Where are you depending on your own resolve more than on God’s help?
Father, thank You for the willing love of Jesus. Help us face our weakness honestly and depend on You in prayer. Grow in us a faithful love that obeys You even when obedience is costly.