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Summary

Matthew 26:1–5 – Plot to Kill Jesus

What happens:
Jesus tells his disciples that the Passover and his suffering are near. The chief priests and elders meet in the palace of the high priest Caiaphas to plot Jesus’ arrest and death, scheming to avoid a public uproar during the festival.

What it means:
Even as God’s redemptive plan unfolds, human authorities conspire against it out of fear and self-preservation. Jesus’ path to the cross faces opposition from those who should have been guardians of truth.


Matthew 26:6–13 – Anointing at Bethany

What happens:
While Jesus is eating in the home of Simon the leper, a woman pours expensive perfume on his head. Some present criticize the waste, but Jesus defends her, saying she has anointed him for burial and that her act will be remembered wherever the gospel is proclaimed.

What it means:
Extravagant worship foreshadows Jesus’ impending sacrifice. Acts of costly devotion honor his worth and point to the significance of his death and resurrection.


Matthew 26:14–16 – Judas’ Betrayal Agreed

What happens:
Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, goes to the chief priests and agrees to betray Jesus in exchange for thirty pieces of silver. He begins looking for an opportunity to hand Jesus over.

What it means:
Betrayal can come from within the community of faith for personal gain. Jesus’ journey to the cross includes the pain of being handed over by one of his own followers.


Matthew 26:17–30 – The Last Supper

What happens:
Jesus instructs his disciples to prepare the Passover meal. During the meal, he breaks bread, identifies it as his body given for many, and shares the cup as the new covenant in his blood. He predicts his betrayal and sings a hymn before going out to the Mount of Olives.

What it means:
Jesus establishes the new covenant in his body and blood, inviting followers to remember his sacrificial death. The Lord’s Supper becomes the enduring sign of his atoning work and enduring presence.


Matthew 26:31–35 – Prediction of Peter’s Denial

What happens:
Jesus quotes Zechariah, saying the shepherd will be struck and the sheep scattered. Peter insists he will never fall away, but Jesus predicts Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows.

What it means:
Even the most devoted disciples can fail under pressure. Jesus anticipates human weakness, offering a path to restoration beyond our failures.


Matthew 26:36–46 – Prayer in Gethsemane

What happens:
Jesus goes with Peter, James, and John to Gethsemane and prays in anguish, asking the Father to let the cup pass if possible but submitting to God’s will. He returns to find his disciples sleeping and urges them to watch and pray to avoid temptation.

What it means:
Jesus models honest, surrendered prayer in the face of suffering. Vigilance and communion with God provide strength to endure trials.


Matthew 26:47–56 – Arrest of Jesus

What happens:
Judas arrives with a crowd armed with swords and clubs. He betrays Jesus with a kiss. A disciple strikes the high priest’s servant, but Jesus rebukes violence, healing the servant’s ear. He accepts arrest, saying this is your hour of darkness, and the disciples flee.

What it means:
Even in betrayal and violence, Jesus shows compassion and fulfills scripture. His surrender to arrest underscores his commitment to redeem humanity through the cross.


Matthew 26:57–68 – Trial Before the Sanhedrin

What happens:
Jesus is brought to the high priest’s house. False witnesses testify against him, but their stories conflict. The high priest asks if he is the Messiah; Jesus affirms that he is and predicts the Son of Man’s return in glory. The council condemns him for blasphemy and spits on him.

What it means:
Jesus boldly declares his divine identity and authority. Religious leaders reject him and misuse their power, sealing the path to his crucifixion.


Matthew 26:69–75 – Peter’s Denial

What happens:
Peter follows at a distance and sits in the courtyard. A servant girl accuses him of being with Jesus. Peter denies it before her and another. A third accuses him and he denies again with an oath. Immediately the rooster crows, Peter remembers Jesus’ words, and he weeps bitterly.

What it means:
Fear leads to painful failure even for devoted followers. Peter’s remorse marks the beginning of repentance and the hope of restoration.

Application

  • Reflect on Jesus’ willingness to face betrayal and death to fulfill God’s redemptive plan
  • Offer yourself in costly devotion and worship, honoring Jesus’ sacrificial worth
  • Cultivate vigilance in prayer to withstand temptation and align your will with God’s
  • Embrace honest repentance when you fail, trusting in Jesus’ grace for restoration
  • Practice compassionate response even amid injustice, following Jesus’ example in Gethsemane and beyond

Bible

1And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

2Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

3Then 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,

4And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

5But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

7There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

8But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

9For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

10When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

11For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

12For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

13Verily 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.

14Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

15And 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.

16And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

17Now 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?

18And 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.

19And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

20Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

23And 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.

25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

26And 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.

27And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

29But 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.

30And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

31Then 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.

32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

35Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39And 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.

40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42He 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.

43And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

45Then 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.

46Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

47And 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.

48Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

49And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

50And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

51And, 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.

52Then 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?

54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

55In 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.

56But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

57And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

59Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

60But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

61And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

62And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

63But 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.

64Jesus 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.

65Then 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.

66What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

68Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

69Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

70But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

71And 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.

72And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

73And 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.

74Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

75And 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.

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