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26 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended all these words, he said to his disciples:

You know that after two days shall be the pasch, and the son of man shall be delivered up to be crucified:

Then were gathered together the chief priests and ancients of the people into the court of the high priest, who was called Caiphas:

And they consulted together, that by subtilty they might apprehend Jesus, and put him to death.

But they said: Not on the festival day, lest perhaps there should be a tumult among the people.

And when Jesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper,

There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of precious ointment, and poured it on his head as he was at table.

And the disciples seeing it, had indignation, saying: To what purpose is this waste?

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

10 And Jesus knowing it, said to them: Why do you trouble this woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

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

12 For she in pouring this ointment upon my body, hath done it for my burial.

13 Amen I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done, shall be told for a memory of her.

14 Then went one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests,

15 And said to them: What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver.

16 And from thenceforth he sought opportunity to betray him.

17 And on the first day of the Azymes, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the pasch?

18 But Jesus said: Go ye into the city to a certain man, and say to him: the master saith, My time is near at hand, with thee I make the pasch with my disciples.

19 And the disciples did as Jesus appointed to them, and they prepared the pasch.

20 But when it was evening, he sat down with his twelve disciples.

21 And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me.

22 And they being very much troubled, began every one to say: Is it I, Lord?

23 But he answering, said: He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me.

24 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed: it were better for him, if that man had not been born.

25 And Judas that betrayed him, answering, said: Is it I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it.

26 And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body.

27 And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this.

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

29 And I say to you, I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.

30 And a hymn being said, they went out unto mount Olivet.

31 Then Jesus said to them: All you shall be scandalized in me this night. For it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be dispersed.

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

33 And Peter answering, said to him: Although all shall be scandalized in thee, I will never be scandalized.

34 Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee, that in this night before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice.

35 Peter saith to him: Yea, though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. And in like manner said all the disciples.

36 Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani; and he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray.

37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad.

38 Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here, and watch with me.

39 And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

40 And he cometh to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, and he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me?

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

42 Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done.

43 And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy.

44 And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word.

45 Then he cometh to his disciples, and saith to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest; behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Rise, let us go: behold he is at hand that will betray me.

47 As he yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the ancients of the people.

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

49 And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: Hail, Rabbi. And he kissed him.

50 And Jesus said to him: Friend, whereto art thou come? Then they came up, and laid hands on Jesus, and held him.

51 And behold one of them that were with Jesus, stretching forth his hand, drew out his sword: and striking the servant of the high priest, cut off his ear.

52 Then Jesus saith to him: Put up again thy sword into its place: for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

53 Thinkest thou that I cannot ask my Father, and he will give me presently more than twelve legions of angels?

54 How then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must be done?

55 In that same hour Jesus said to the multitudes: You are come out as it were to a robber with swords and clubs to apprehend me. I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you laid not hands on me.

56 Now all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples all leaving him, fled.

57 But they holding Jesus led him to Caiphas the high priest, where the scribes and the ancients were assembled.

58 And Peter followed him afar off, even to the court of the high priest. And going in, he sat with the servants, that he might see the end.

59 And the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death:

60 And they found not, whereas many false witnesses had come in. And last of all there came two false witnesses:

61 And they said: This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and after three days to rebuild it.

62 And the high priest rising up, said to him: Answerest thou nothing to the things which these witness against thee?

63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said to him: I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us if thou be the Christ the Son of God.

64 Jesus saith to him: Thou hast said it. Nevertheless I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

65 Then the high priests rent his garments, saying: He hath blasphemed; what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy:

66 What think you? But they answering, said: He is guilty of death.

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

68 Saying: Prophesy unto us, O Christ, who is he that struck thee?

69 But Peter sat without in the court: and there came to him a servant maid, saying: Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean.

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

71 And as he went out of the gate, another maid saw him, and she saith to them that were there: This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.

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

73 And after a little while they came that stood by, and said to Peter: Surely thou also art one of them; for even thy speech doth discover thee.

74 Then he began to curse and to swear that he knew not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus which he had said: Before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. And going forth, he wept bitterly.

阴谋杀害耶稣

26 当耶稣讲完了这一切话,就对自己的门徒们说: “你们知道,过两天就是逾越节,人子要被交出去钉上十字架。”

那时,祭司长们[a]和民间的长老们聚集在叫该亚法的大祭司的宅院里, 商议要用诡计拘捕耶稣,把他杀掉。 不过他们说:“不可在节日期间,免得民中发生骚乱。”

在伯大尼被膏抹

耶稣在伯大尼,在麻风病人西门家里的时候, 有一个女人拿着一个盛了极其贵重香液的玉瓶上前来,在耶稣坐席的时候,把香液浇在他的头上。 门徒们看见了就很不满,说:“为什么这样浪费? 这香液[b]本来可以卖很多钱,分给穷人。”

10 耶稣知道了,就对他们说:“你们为什么为难这妇人呢?她为我做了一件美好的事。 11 要知道,你们总是有穷人与你们在一起,但你们不总是有我。 12 她把这香液浇在我身上,是为了预备安葬我而做的。 13 我确实地告诉你们:在全世界,福音无论传到什么地方,这女人所做的事也将被述说,做为对她的记念。”

14 那时候,十二使徒[c]中的一个,就是那称为加略犹大的,到祭司长们那里去, 15 说:“如果我把他交给你们,你们愿意给我什么?”他们就约定给他三十个银钱。 16 从那时候起,犹大就开始找机会要把耶稣交出去。

在逾越节被出卖

17 除酵节的第一日,门徒们前来问耶稣:“你要我们到哪里去预备,好让你吃逾越节的晚餐呢?”

18 耶稣说:“你们进城去,到某人那里,告诉他:‘老师说,我的时候快到了。我要在你那里与我的门徒们一起守逾越节。’” 19 门徒们就依照耶稣所吩咐的去做,预备了逾越节的晚餐。 20 到了晚上,耶稣与十二使徒一同坐席。 21 在他们吃的时候,耶稣说:“我确实地告诉你们:你们当中有一个人要出卖我。”

22 他们极其忧伤,就一个一个地开始问耶稣:“主啊,不会是我吧?”

23 耶稣回答说:“那与我一同把手蘸在盘子里的,就是要出卖我的人。 24 人子确实要离去,正如经上指着他所写的,但是出卖人子的那个人有祸了。对他来说,没有出生倒好。”

25 那出卖耶稣的犹大应声说:“拉比,不会是我吧?”

耶稣对他说:“你已经说了。”

第一次圣餐

26 在他们吃的时候,耶稣拿起饼来,祝福了,就掰开,递给门徒们,说:“你们领受吃吧,这是我的身体。” 27 接着,他拿起杯来,祝谢了,递给他们,说:“你们都来喝, 28 因为这是我的血,是为立约[d]的,为许多人所流的,使罪得赦免。 29 我告诉你们:从今以后我绝不喝这葡萄汁[e],直到我在我父的国里与你们一起喝新的那一天。” 30 他们唱了赞美诗[f],就出来,往橄榄山去了。

预言彼得不认主

31 那时,耶稣对他们说:“今天晚上,你们都将因我被绊倒,因为经上记着:

‘我将击打牧人,
群羊就被分散。’[g]

32 但是我复活以后,要在你们之前到加利利去。”

33 彼得对耶稣说:“即使所有的人因你被绊倒,我也绝不会被绊倒。”

34 耶稣对他说:“我确实地告诉你:今天晚上鸡叫以前,你会三次不认我。”

35 彼得对耶稣说:“即使我必须与你同死,我也绝不会不认你。”所有的门徒也都如此说。

园中的祷告

36 随后,耶稣与他们来到一个叫客西马尼的地方。耶稣对门徒们说:“我走开在那里祷告的时候,你们坐在这里。” 37 他带了彼得西庇太的两个儿子一起去,开始感到忧虑,极其难过, 38 就对他们说:“我的灵魂很忧伤,几乎要死。你们留在这里,与我一同警醒。” 39 耶稣稍往前走,把脸伏在地上祷告说:“我父啊,如果有可能,让这杯离开我吧!但不要照我的意愿,而要照你的意愿。”

40 耶稣回到门徒们那里,看见他们睡着了,就对彼得说:“你们怎么就不能与我一同警醒一个小时呢? 41 要警醒祷告,免得陷入试探。你们心灵虽然愿意,肉体却是软弱的。”

42 耶稣第二次又去祷告说:“我父啊,如果这杯不能离开我[h],一定要我喝下,那就愿你的旨意成就!” 43 他又回来,看见他们在睡觉,因为他们的眼皮发沉。

44 耶稣又离开他们,第三次去祷告,又说了同样的话。 45 然后,他回到门徒们那里,对他们说:“你们还在睡觉、休息吗?看哪,时候快到了!人子被交在[i]罪人的手里了。 46 起来,我们走吧!看,那出卖我的人快到了!”

犹大亲吻的暗号

47 耶稣还在说话的时候,忽然十二使徒之一的犹大来了。有一大群人拿着刀剑和棍棒与他一起来,他们是祭司长们和民间的长老们所派来的。 48 那出卖耶稣的人已经和他们定了一个暗号,说:“我如果亲吻谁,谁就是那个人。你们把他抓住。” 49 犹大立刻上前来对耶稣说:“拉比,愿你欢喜!”然后亲吻了他。

50 耶稣对他说:“朋友,你为什么来到这里?”

于是,那些人上前来,下手拘捕了耶稣。 51 这时候,忽然有一个与耶稣在一起的人伸手拔出刀来,向大祭司的奴仆砍去,削掉了他的一个耳朵。

52 耶稣就对他说:“把你的刀收回原处!因为凡动刀的,必死在刀下。 53 难道你想我不能求我父,现在就为我派来十二个军团以上的天使吗? 54 如果这样,‘事情必须如此发生’的经文怎么应验呢?”

55 这时候,耶稣对那群人说:“你们带着刀剑和棍棒出来抓我,就像对付强盗那样吗?我天天坐在圣殿里教导人,你们并没有抓我。 56 不过这整个事的发生,是为要应验先知书的那些经文。”这时候,所有的门徒都离开他,逃跑了。

在议员面前受审

57 拘捕耶稣的人把他带到大祭司该亚法那里。经文士们和长老们已经聚集在那里了。 58 彼得远远地跟着耶稣,一直到大祭司的院子。他进到里面,与差役们坐在一起,想看看结果如何。

59 当时,祭司长们[j]和全议会的人为了要处死耶稣,都在寻找伪证来控告他。 60 虽然有许多假见证人上前来,可是他们找不出什么。后来有两个人[k]上前来, 61 说:“这个人说过:‘我能拆毁神的圣所,三天内又建起来。’”

62 于是大祭司就站起来,问耶稣:“对这些人控告你的事,你什么都不回应吗?” 63 耶稣却沉默不语。大祭司又对他说:“我命令你指着永生的神起誓,告诉我们你是不是基督——神的儿子?”

64 耶稣回答他,说:“你已经说了。不过我告诉你们:将来你们会看见人子坐在全能者的右边,在天上的云彩中来临。[l]

65 大祭司就撕裂自己的衣服,说:“他说了亵渎的话!难道我们还需要什么见证人吗?看,现在你们都听见了这亵渎的话。 66 你们怎么看?”

他们回答说:“他是该死的!” 67 当时他们就往他脸上吐唾沫,用拳头打他,也有人用手掌打他, 68 说:“给我们说预言吧!基督!打你的是谁?”

彼得不认主

69 彼得坐在外面的院子里,有一个女仆过来对他说:“你也与那个加利利人耶稣是一伙的。”

70 彼得却在众人面前否认说:“我不知道你在说什么。”

71 他出去到门口,另有一个女仆看见他,对那里的人说:“这个人与拿撒勒人耶稣是一伙的。”

72 彼得又起誓否认说:“我不认识那个人!”

73 过了一会儿,旁边站着的人过来对彼得说:“你真的也是与他们一伙的,因为连你的口音也把你暴露了。”

74 彼得就开始赌咒并起誓说:“我不认识那个人!”立时,鸡就叫了。 75 彼得想起耶稣说过的话:“鸡叫以前,你会三次不认我”,就到外面去,痛哭起来。

Footnotes

  1. 马太福音 26:3 有古抄本附“经文士们”。
  2. 马太福音 26:9 有古抄本没有“香液”。
  3. 马太福音 26:14 使徒——辅助词语。
  4. 马太福音 26:28 约——有古抄本作“新约”。
  5. 马太福音 26:29 葡萄汁——或译作“葡萄酒”;原文直译“葡萄树的产品”。
  6. 马太福音 26:30 赞美诗——那时代的逾越节晚餐时、晚餐后,所唱的赞美诗是《诗篇》113-118篇。
  7. 马太福音 26:31 《撒迦利亚书》13:7。
  8. 马太福音 26:42 有古抄本没有“我”。
  9. 马太福音 26:45 被交在——或译作“被出卖到”。
  10. 马太福音 26:59 有古抄本附“长老们”。
  11. 马太福音 26:60 两个人——有古抄本作“两个假见证人”。
  12. 马太福音 26:64 《诗篇》110:1;《但以理书》7:13。

The Plot Against Jesus

26 When[a] Jesus had finished saying all these things, he told his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over[b] to be crucified.”[c] Then the chief priests and the elders of the people met together in the palace of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas. They[d] planned to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, “Not during the feast, so that there won’t be a riot among the people.”[e]

Jesus’ Anointing

Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper,[f] a woman came to him with an alabaster jar[g] of expensive perfumed oil,[h] and she poured it on his head as he was at the table.[i] When[j] the disciples saw this, they became indignant and said, “Why this waste? It[k] could have been sold at a high price and the money[l] given to the poor!” 10 When[m] Jesus learned of this, he said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She[n] has done a good service for me. 11 For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me![o] 12 When[p] she poured this oil on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 I tell you the truth,[q] wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

The Plan to Betray Jesus

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?”[r] So they set out thirty silver coins for him. 16 From that time[s] on, Judas[t] began looking for an opportunity to betray him.

The Passover

17 Now on the first day of the feast of[u] Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and said,[v] “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”[w] 18 He[x] 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[y] the disciples did as Jesus had instructed them, and they prepared the Passover. 20 When[z] it was evening, he took his place at the table[aa] with the twelve.[ab] 21 And while they were eating he said, “I tell you the truth,[ac] one of you will betray me.”[ad] 22 They[ae] became greatly distressed[af] and each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 He[ag] answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me[ah] 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[ai] Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus[aj] replied, “You have said it yourself.”

The Lord’s Supper

26 While[ak] 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[al] of the covenant,[am] that is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I[an] tell you, from now on I will not drink of this fruit[ao] of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 After[ap] singing a hymn,[aq] they went out to the Mount of Olives.

The Prediction of Peter’s Denial

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.[ar]

32 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter[as] 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,[at] 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.

Gethsemane

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 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,[au] “My Father, if possible,[av] let this cup[aw] pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He[ax] 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,[ay] “My Father, if this cup[az] 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.[ba] 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[bb] is approaching!”

Betrayal and Arrest

47 While he was still speaking, Judas,[bc] 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[bd] had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man.[be] Arrest him!”)[bf] 49 Immediately[bg] he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and kissed him.[bh] 50 Jesus[bi] said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and took hold[bj] of Jesus and arrested him. 51 But[bk] one of those with Jesus grabbed[bl] his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest’s slave,[bm] cutting off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place![bn] 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 twelve legions[bo] 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?[bp] Day after day I sat teaching in the temple courts, yet[bq] 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.

Condemned by the Sanhedrin

57 Now the ones who had arrested Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, in whose house[br] the experts in the law[bs] and the elders had gathered. 58 But Peter was following him from a distance, all the way to the high priest’s courtyard. After[bt] going in, he sat with the guards[bu] to see the outcome. 59 The[bv] 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[bw] two came forward 61 and declared, “This man[bx] said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 62 So[by] 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[bz] high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ,[ca] 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[cb] of the Power[cc] and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[cd] 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and declared,[ce] “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Now[cf] you have heard the blasphemy! 66 What is your verdict?”[cg] They[ch] answered, “He is guilty and deserves[ci] 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![cj] Who hit you?”[ck]

Peter’s Denials

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A[cl] slave girl[cm] came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it in front of them all:[cn] “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” 71 When[co] he went out to the gateway, another slave girl[cp] 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[cq] a little while, those standing there came up to Peter and said, “You really are one of them too—even your accent[cr] 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.[cs] 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.[ct]

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:1 tn Grk “And it happened when.” The introductory phrase καὶ ἐγένετο (kai egeneto, “it happened that”) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  2. Matthew 26:2 tn Or “will be delivered up.”
  3. Matthew 26:2 sn See the note on crucified in 20:19.
  4. Matthew 26:4 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  5. Matthew 26:5 sn The suggestion here is that Jesus was too popular to openly arrest him.
  6. Matthew 26:6 sn See the note on leper in Matt 8:2.
  7. Matthew 26:7 sn A jar made of alabaster stone was normally used for very precious substances like perfumes. It normally had a long neck which was sealed and had to be broken off so the contents could be used.
  8. Matthew 26:7 tn Μύρον (muron) was usually made of myrrh (from which the English word is derived) but here it is used in the sense of ointment or perfumed oil (L&N 6.205).sn Mark specifies that the perfumed oil was Nard or spikenard, which is a fragrant oil from the root and spike of the nard plant of northern India (Mark 14:3). This perfumed oil, if made of something like nard, would have been extremely expensive, costing up to a year’s pay for an average laborer.
  9. Matthew 26:7 tn Grk “as he was reclining.”sn 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.
  10. Matthew 26:8 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  11. Matthew 26:9 tn Here γάρ (gar) has not been translated.
  12. Matthew 26:9 tn The words “the money” are not in the Greek text, but are implied (as the proceeds from the sale of the perfumed oil).
  13. Matthew 26:10 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  14. Matthew 26:10 tn Grk “For she.” Here γάρ (gar) has not been translated.
  15. Matthew 26:11 tn In the Greek text of this clause, “me” is in emphatic position (the first word in the clause). To convey some impression of the emphasis, an exclamation point is used in the translation.
  16. Matthew 26:12 tn Grk “For when.” Here γάρ (gar) has not been translated.
  17. Matthew 26:13 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”
  18. Matthew 26:15 tn Grk “What will you give to me, and I will deliver him over to you?”
  19. Matthew 26:16 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  20. Matthew 26:16 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Judas) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  21. Matthew 26:17 tn The words “the feast of” are not in the Greek text, but have been supplied for clarity.
  22. Matthew 26:17 tn Grk “the disciples came to Jesus, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) has been translated as a finite verb to make the sequence of events clear in English.
  23. Matthew 26:17 sn This required getting a suitable lamb and finding lodging in Jerusalem where the meal could be eaten. The population of the city swelled during the feast, so lodging could be difficult to find. The Passover was celebrated each year in commemoration of the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt; thus it was a feast celebrating redemption (see Exod 12). The Passover lamb was roasted and eaten after sunset in a family group of at least ten people (m. Pesahim 7.13). People ate the meal while reclining (see the note on table in 26:20). It included, besides the lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs as a reminder of Israel’s bitter affliction at the hands of the Egyptians. Four cups of wine mixed with water were also used for the meal. For a further description of the meal and the significance of the wine cups, see E. Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 523-24.
  24. Matthew 26:18 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  25. Matthew 26:19 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
  26. Matthew 26:20 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  27. Matthew 26:20 tn Grk “he was reclining at table,” as 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.
  28. Matthew 26:20 tc Many witnesses, some of them quite significant, have μαθητῶν (mathētōn, “disciples”; א A L W Δ Θ 33 892 1241 1424 pm lat) or μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ (mathētōn autou, “his disciples”; 0281 it) after δώδεκα (dōdeka, “twelve”). However, such clarifications are typical scribal expansions to the text. Further, the shorter reading (the one that ends with δώδεκα) has strong support in P37vid,45vid B D K Γ ƒ1,13 565 579 700 pm. Thus both internally and externally the reading that ends the verse with “the twelve” is to be preferred.
  29. Matthew 26:21 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”
  30. Matthew 26:21 tn Or “will hand me over.”
  31. Matthew 26:22 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  32. Matthew 26:22 tn The participle λυπούμενοι (lupoumenoi) has been translated as a finite verb to make the sequence of events clear in English.
  33. Matthew 26:23 tn Grk “answering, he said.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  34. Matthew 26:23 sn The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me. The point of Jesus’ comment here is not to identify the specific individual per se, but to indicate that it is one who was close to him—somebody whom no one would suspect. His comment serves to heighten the treachery of Judas’ betrayal.
  35. Matthew 26:25 tn Grk “answering, Judas.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to reflect the sequence of events in the narrative.
  36. Matthew 26:25 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  37. Matthew 26:26 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  38. Matthew 26:28 tn Grk “for this is my blood of the covenant that is poured out for many.” In order to avoid confusion about which is poured out, the translation supplies “blood” twice so that the following phrase clearly modifies “blood,” not “covenant.”
  39. Matthew 26:28 tc Most witnesses, including several significant ones, read καινῆς (kainēs, “new”) here. Homoioteleuton is a possible reason for the omission, since the article, adjective, and noun are all first declension genitive singulars (τῆς καινῆς διαθήκης, tēs kainēs diathēkēs, “the new covenant”), but the likelihood of excellent, early, and sufficiently diverse witnesses all making the same mistake is remote. A much more probable scenario is that the addition of καινῆς was motivated by the parallel in Luke 22:20. It is a natural expansion on the text. Coupled with the fact that the shorter reading is found in such good and diverse witnesses (e.g., P37,45vid א B L Z Θ 0298vid 33 mae), it most likely is the initial text.sn Jesus’ death established the forgiveness promised in the new covenant of Jer 31:31. Jesus is reinterpreting the symbolism of the Passover meal, indicating the presence of a new era.
  40. Matthew 26:29 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  41. Matthew 26:29 tn Grk “produce” (“the produce of the vine” is a figurative expression for wine).
  42. Matthew 26:30 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  43. Matthew 26:30 sn After singing a hymn. The Hallel Psalms (Pss 113-118) were sung during the meal. Psalms 113 and 114 were sung just before the second cup and 115-118 were sung at the end of the meal, after the fourth, or hallel cup.
  44. Matthew 26:31 sn A quotation from Zech 13:7.
  45. Matthew 26:33 tn Grk “answering, Peter said to him.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  46. Matthew 26:34 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”
  47. Matthew 26:39 tn Grk “ground, praying and saying.” Here the participle λέγων (legōn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  48. Matthew 26:39 tn Grk “if it is possible.”
  49. Matthew 26:39 sn This cup alludes to the wrath of God that Jesus would experience (in the form of suffering and death) for us. See Pss 11:6; 75:8-9; Isa 51:17, 19, 22 for this figure.
  50. Matthew 26:40 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  51. Matthew 26:42 tn Grk “saying.” The participle λέγων (legōn) is redundant here in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  52. Matthew 26:42 tn Grk “this”; the referent (the cup) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  53. Matthew 26:43 tn Grk “because their eyes were weighed down,” an idiom for becoming extremely or excessively sleepy (L&N 23.69).
  54. Matthew 26:46 tn Grk “the one who betrays me.”
  55. Matthew 26:47 tn Grk “behold, Judas.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
  56. Matthew 26:48 tn Grk “the one who betrays him.”
  57. Matthew 26:48 tn Grk “The one I kiss is he.”
  58. Matthew 26:48 sn This remark is parenthetical within the narrative and has thus been placed in parentheses.
  59. Matthew 26:49 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  60. Matthew 26:49 sn Judas’ act of betrayal when he kissed Jesus is especially sinister when it is realized that it was common in the culture of the times for a disciple to kiss his master when greeting him.
  61. Matthew 26:50 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  62. Matthew 26:50 tn Grk “and put their hands on Jesus.”
  63. Matthew 26:51 tn Grk “And behold one.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
  64. Matthew 26:51 tn Grk “extending his hand, drew out his sword, and struck.” Because rapid motion is implied in the circumstances, the translation “grabbed” was used.
  65. Matthew 26:51 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.
  66. Matthew 26:52 tn The translation “put your sword back in its place” for this phrase is given in L&N 85.52.
  67. Matthew 26:53 sn A legion was a Roman army unit of about 6,000 soldiers, so twelve legions would be 72,000.
  68. Matthew 26:55 tn Or “a revolutionary.” This term can refer to one who stirs up rebellion: BDAG 594 s.v. λῃστής 2 has “revolutionary, insurrectionist, guerrilla” citing evidence from Josephus (J. W. 2.13.2-3 [2.253-254]). However, this usage generally postdates Jesus’ time. It does refer to a figure of violence. Luke uses the same term for the highwaymen who attack the traveler in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30).
  69. Matthew 26:55 tn Grk “and” (καί, kai), a conjunction that is elastic enough to be used to indicate a contrast, as here.
  70. Matthew 26:57 tn Grk “where.”
  71. Matthew 26:57 tn Or “where the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.
  72. Matthew 26:58 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  73. Matthew 26:58 sn The guards would have been the guards of the chief priests who had accompanied Judas to arrest Jesus.
  74. Matthew 26:59 tn Grk “Now the.” Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  75. Matthew 26:60 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  76. Matthew 26:61 tn Grk “This one.”
  77. Matthew 26:62 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the false testimony.
  78. Matthew 26:63 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  79. Matthew 26:63 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”sn See the note on Christ in 1:16.
  80. Matthew 26:64 sn An allusion to Ps 110:1. This is a claim that Jesus shares authority with God in heaven. Those present may have thought they were his judges, but, in fact, the reverse was true.
  81. Matthew 26:64 sn The expression the Power is a circumlocution for referring to God. Such indirect references to God were common in 1st century Judaism out of reverence for the divine name.
  82. Matthew 26:64 sn An allusion to Dan 7:13 (see also Matt 24:30).
  83. Matthew 26:65 tn Grk “the high priest tore his clothes, saying.”
  84. Matthew 26:65 tn Grk “Behold now.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
  85. Matthew 26:66 tn Grk “What do you think?”
  86. Matthew 26:66 tn Grk “answering, they said.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  87. Matthew 26:66 tn Grk “he is guilty of death.” L&N 88.313 states, “pertaining to being guilty and thus deserving some particular penalty—‘guilty and deserving, guilty and punishable by.’ οἱ δὲ ἀποκριθέντες εἶπαν, ᾿Ενοχος θανάτου ἐστίν ‘they answered, He is guilty and deserves death’ Mt 26:66.”
  88. Matthew 26:68 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”sn See the note on Christ in 1:16.
  89. Matthew 26:68 tn Grk “Who is the one who hit you?”sn Who hit you? This is a variation of one of three ancient games that involved blindfolds.
  90. Matthew 26:69 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  91. Matthew 26:69 tn The Greek term here is παιδίσκη (paidiskē), referring to a slave girl or slave woman.
  92. Matthew 26:70 tn Grk “he denied it…saying.” The participle λέγων (legōn) is redundant in English and has not been translated.
  93. Matthew 26:71 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  94. Matthew 26:71 tn The words “slave girl” are not in the Greek text, but are implied by the feminine singular form ἄλλη (allē).
  95. Matthew 26:73 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  96. Matthew 26:73 tn Grk “your speech.”
  97. Matthew 26:74 tn It seems most likely that this refers to a real rooster crowing, although a number of scholars have suggested that “cockcrow” is a technical term referring to the trumpet call which ended the third watch of the night (from midnight to 3 a.m.). This would then be a reference to the Roman gallicinium (ἀλεκτοροφωνία, alektorophōnia; the term is used in Mark 13:35 and is found in some mss [P37vid,45 ƒ1] in Matt 26:34) which would have been sounded at 3 a.m.; in this case Jesus would have prophesied a precise time by which the denials would have taken place. For more details see J. H. Bernard, St. John (ICC), 2:604. However, in light of the fact that Mark mentions the rooster crowing twice (Mark 14:72) and in Luke 22:60 the words are reversed (ἐφώνησεν ἀλέκτωρ, ephōnēsen alektōr), it is more probable that a real rooster is in view. In any event natural cockcrow would have occurred at approximately 3 a.m. in Palestine at this time of year (March-April) anyway.
  98. Matthew 26:75 sn When Peter went out and wept bitterly it shows he really did not want to fail here and was deeply grieved that he had.