Matthew 26
1599 Geneva Bible
26 3 The consultation of the Priests against Christ. 6 His feet are anointed. 15 Judas selleth him. 26 The institution of the supper, 34 and 36 Peter’s denial: Christ is heavy. 47 He is betrayed with a kiss. 57 He is led to Caiaphas. 64 He confesseth himself to be Christ. 67 They spit at him.
1 And (A)[a]it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
2 [b]Ye know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of man shall be delivered to be crucified.
3 (B)Then assembled together the chief Priests, and the Scribes, and the Elders of the people into the hall of the high Priest called Caiaphas:
4 And consulted together that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
5 But they said, Not on the [c]feast day, lest any uproar be among the people.
6 ¶ (C)[d]And when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
7 [e]There came unto him a woman, which had a [f]box of very costly ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at the table.
8 And when his [g]disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, What needed this [h]waste?
9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and been given to the poor.
10 [i]And Jesus knowing it, said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
11 (D)[j]For ye have the poor always with you, but me shall ye not have always.
12 For [k]in that she poured this ointment on my body, she did it to bury me.
13 Verily I say unto you, wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached throughout all the world, there shall also this that she hath done, be spoken of for a memorial of her.
14 ¶ (E)Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief Priests,
15 And said, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you, and they appointed unto him thirty pieces of silver.
16 And from that time, he sought opportunity to betray him.
17 ¶ (F)[l]Now [m]on 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 ye into the city to such a man, and say to him, The master saith, My time is at hand: I will keep the Passover at thine house with my disciples.
19 And the disciples did as Jesus had given them charge, and made ready the Passover.
20 (G)So when the even was come, he [n]sat down with the twelve.
21 And as they did eat, he said, (H)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, Is it I, Master?
23 And he answered and said, (I)He that [o]dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me.
24 Surely the Son of man goeth his way, as it is written of him: but woe be to that man, by whom the Son of man is betrayed: it had been good for that man, if he had never been born.
25 Then Judas [p]which betrayed him, answered, and said, Is it I, master? He said unto him, Thou hast said it.
26 ¶ (J)[q]And as they did eat, Jesus took the bread, and when he had [r]blessed, he brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat: [s]this is my body.
27 Also he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it them, saying, Drink ye [t]all of it.
28 [u]For this is my blood of the [v]new Testament that is shed for many, for the remission of sins.
29 I say unto you that I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine until that day, when I shall drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
30 And when they had sung [w]a Psalm, they went out into the mount of Olives.
31 ¶ [x](K)Then said Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended by me this night: for it is written, I (L)will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.
32 But (M)after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
33 But Peter answered, and said unto him, Though that all men should be offended by thee, yet will I never be offended.
34 (N)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, I will in no case deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
36 ¶ (O)[y]Then went Jesus with them into a place which is called Gethsemane, and said unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go, and pray yonder.
37 And he took unto him Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to wax sorrowful, and [z]grievously troubled.
38 [aa]Then said Jesus unto them, My soul is very heavy, even unto the death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39 So he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, [ab]let this [ac]cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40 [ad]After, he came unto the disciples, and found them asleep, and said to Peter, What? could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch, and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is ready, but the flesh is weak.
42 Again he went away the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup cannot pass away from me, but that I must drink it, thy will be done.
43 And he came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then came he to his disciples, and said unto them, Sleep henceforth, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is given into the hands of sinners.
46 [ae]Rise, let us go: behold, he is at hand that betrayeth me.
47 (P)And while he yet spake, lo, Judas one of the twelve came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, [af]from the high Priests and Elders of the people.
48 Now he that betrayed him, had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he, lay hold on him.
49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, God save thee, Master, and kissed him.
50 [ag]Then Jesus said unto him, [ah]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 Priest, and smote off his ear.
52 [ai]Then said Jesus unto him, Put up thy sword into his place: (Q)for all that [aj]take the sword, shall perish with the sword.
53 [ak]Either thinkest thou, that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he will give me more than twelve legions of Angels?
54 [al]How then should the (R)Scriptures be fulfilled, which say, that it must be so?
55 The same hour said Jesus to the multitude, Ye be come out as it were against a thief, with swords and staves to take me: I sat daily teaching in the Temple among you, and ye took me not.
56 But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled. (S)Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
57 ¶ (T)[am]And they took Jesus, and led him to [an]Caiaphas the high Priest, where the Scribes and the Elders were assembled.
58 And Peter followed him afar off unto the high Priest’s [ao]hall, and went in and sat with the servants to see the end.
59 Now (U)the chief Priests and the Elders, and all the whole Council sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death.
60 But they found none, and though many false witnesses came, yet found they none: but at the last came two false witnesses,
61 And said, This man said, (V)I can destroy the Temple of God, and build it in three days.
62 Then the chief Priest arose, and said to him, Answerest thou nothing? [ap]What is the matter that these men witness against thee?
63 But Jesus held his peace. Then the chief Priest answered, and said to him, I charge thee swear unto us by the living God, to tell us, If thou be that Christ the son of God, or no.
64 (W)Jesus said to him, Thou hast said it: nevertheless I say unto you, [aq]Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man, sitting [ar]at the right hand of the power of God, and come in the [as]clouds of the heaven.
65 Then the high Priest [at]rent his clothes, saying, He hath blasphemed, what have we any more need of witnesses: behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
66 What think ye? They answered, and said, He is guilty of death.
67 (X)Then spat they in his face, and buffeted him, and others smote him with rods,
68 Saying, Prophesy to us, O Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
69 ¶ (Y)[au]Peter [av]sat without in the hall, and a maid came to him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee:
70 But he denied before them all, saying, I wot not what thou sayest.
71 And when he went out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
72 And again he denied with an oath, saying, I know not the man.
73 So after a while, came unto him they that stood by, and said unto Peter, Surely thou art also one of them: for even thy speech bewrayeth thee.
74 Then began he to [aw]curse himself, and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
75 Then Peter remembered the words of Jesus, which had said unto him, Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice. So he went out, and wept bitterly.
Footnotes
- Matthew 26:1 Christ witnesseth by his voluntarily going to death, that he will make full satisfaction for the sin of Adam, by his obedience.
- Matthew 26:2 God himself and not men, appointed the time that Christ should be crucified in.
- Matthew 26:5 By the word Feast, is meant the whole feast of unleavened bread: the first and eighth day whereof were so holy, that they might do no manner of work therein, though the whole company of the Sanhedrin determined otherwise: And yet it came to pass through God’s providence, that Christ suffered at that time, to the end that all the people of Israel might be witnesses of his everlasting sacrifice.
- Matthew 26:6 By this sudden work of a sinful woman, Christ giveth the guests to understand of his death and burial which was nigh: the favor whereof shall bring life to all sinners which flee unto him. But Judas taketh an occasion hereby to accomplish his wicked purpose and counsel.
- Matthew 26:7 For these things were done before Christ came to Jerusalem: and yet some think that the Evangelists recite two histories.
- Matthew 26:7 These boxes were of alabaster, which in old time men made hollow to put in ointments: for some write, that alabaster keepeth ointment without corruption, Pliny, book 13, chapter 1.
- Matthew 26:8 This is a figure called Synecdoche: for it is said but of Judas that he was moved thereat, John 12:4.
- Matthew 26:8 Unprofitable spending.
- Matthew 26:10 We ought not rashly to condemn that which is not orderly done.
- Matthew 26:11 Christ, who was once anointed in his own person, must always be anointed in the poor.
- Matthew 26:12 In that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to bury me.
- Matthew 26:17 Christ verily purposing to bring us into our country out of hand, and so to abrogate the figure of the Law, fulfilleth the Law, neglecting the contrary tradition and custom of the Jews, and there withall showeth that all things shall so come to pass by the ministry of men, that the secret counsel of God shall govern them.
- Matthew 26:17 This was the fourteenth day of the first month: and the first day of unleavened bread should have been the fifteenth, but because this day’s evening (which after the manner of the Romans was referred to the day before) did belong by the Jews’ manner to the day following, therefore it is called the first day of unleavened bread.
- Matthew 26:20 Because the Law appointed them to be shod, and have their staffs in their hands, as though they were in haste, thereby it is to be gathered that they sat not down when they did eat the Passover, but stood, for otherwise when they went to meat, they put off their shoes: therefore he speaketh here in this place, not of the Passover, but of the Supper, which was celebrated after that the Passover was solemnly done.
- Matthew 26:23 That is to say, whom I vouchsafed to come to my table, alluding to the place, Ps. 41:9, which is not so to be understood, as though at the selfsame instant that the Lord spake these words, Judas had had his hand in the dish (for that had been an undoubted token) but it is meant of his tabling and eating with them.
- Matthew 26:25 Whose head was about nothing then but to betray him.
- Matthew 26:26 Christ minding forthwith to fulfill the promises of the old covenant, instituteth a new covenant with new figures.
- Matthew 26:26 Mark saith, Had given thanks: and therefore blessing is not a consecrating, with a conjuring kind of murmuring and force of words: and yet the bread and the wine are changed, not in nature, but in quality, for they become undoubted tokens of the body and blood of Christ, not of their own nature or force of words, but by Christ his institution, which must be recited and laid forth, that faith may find what to lay hold on, both in the word and in the elements.
- Matthew 26:26 This is a figurative speech, which is called Metonymy: that is to say, the putting of one name for another—so calling the bread his body, which is the sign and sacrament of his body: and yet notwithstanding, it is so a figurative and changed kind of speech, that the faithful do receive Christ indeed with all his gifts (though by a spiritual means) and become one with him.
- Matthew 26:27 Therefore they which took away the cup from the people, did against Christ his institution.
- Matthew 26:28 To wit, this cup or wine, is my blood Sacramentally, as Luke 22:20.
- Matthew 26:28 Or covenant, that is to say, whereby the new league and covenant is made, for in making of leagues, they used pouring of wine, and shedding of blood.
- Matthew 26:30 When they had made an end of their solemn singing, which some think was six Psalms, beginning at Ps. 112 to 117.
- Matthew 26:31 Christ being more careful of his disciples, than of himself, forewarneth them of their flight, and putteth them in better comfort.
- Matthew 26:36 Christ having regard to the weakness of his disciples, leaving all the rest in safety, taketh with him but three to be witnesses of his anguish, and goeth of purpose into the place appointed to betray him in.
- Matthew 26:37 The word which he useth, signifieth great sorrow, and marvelous and deadly grief: which thing, as it betokeneth the truth of man’s nature, which shunneth death as a thing that entered in against nature, so it showeth that though Christ were void of sin, yet he sustained this horrible punishment, because he felt the wrath of God kindled against us for sins, which he revenged and punished in his person.
- Matthew 26:38 Christ a true man, going about to suffer the punishment which was due unto us, for forsaking of God is forsaken of his own: he hath a terrible conflict with the horror and fear of the curse of God: out of which he escaping as a conqueror, causeth us not to be afraid anymore of death.
- Matthew 26:39 Let it pass me, and not touch me.
- Matthew 26:39 That is, which is at hand, and is offered and prepared for me: a kind of speech which the Hebrews use, for the wrath of God, and the punishment he sendeth. See also Matt. 20:22.
- Matthew 26:40 An example of the carelessness of man.
- Matthew 26:46 Christ offereth himself willingly to be taken, that in so obeying willingly, he might make satisfaction for the willful fall of man.
- Matthew 26:47 Sent from the high Priests.
- Matthew 26:50 Christ is taken that we might be delivered.
- Matthew 26:50 Christ reprehendeth Judas tauntingly, and rebuketh him sharply, for he knew well enough for what cause he came.
- Matthew 26:52 Our vocation must be the rule of our zeal.
- Matthew 26:52 They take the sword to whom the Lord hath not given it, that is to say, they which use the sword, and are not called to it.
- Matthew 26:53 Christ was taken, because he was willing to be taken.
- Matthew 26:54 By this questioning he answereth a sly objection, for they might have asked him why he did not in this his great extremity of danger, call to his Father for aid: but to this he answereth by a question.
- Matthew 26:57 Christ being innocent is condemned of the high Priest for that wickedness whereof we are guilty.
- Matthew 26:57 From Annas to Caiaphas, before whom the multitude was assembled, John 18:13.
- Matthew 26:58 The word here used, signifieth properly an open large room before an house, as we see in Kings’ palaces and noble men’s houses: we call it a court, for it is open to the air, and by a figure Synecdoche is taken for the house itself.
- Matthew 26:62 How cometh it to pass that these men witness against thee?
- Matthew 26:64 This word distinguisheth his first coming from the latter.
- Matthew 26:64 Sitting with God in like and equal honor at the right hand of his power, that is, in greatest power: for the right hand signifieth among the Hebrews, that that is mighty and of great power.
- Matthew 26:64 Clouds of heaven, see also Matt. 24:30.
- Matthew 26:65 This was an usual matter among the Jews: for so were they bound to do, when they heard any Israelite to blaspheme God, and it was a tradition of their Talmud in the book of the Magistrates, in the title, of the four kinds of death.
- Matthew 26:69 Peter by the wonderful providence of God appointed to be a witness of all these things, is prepared to the example of singular constancy, by the experience of his own incredulity.
- Matthew 26:69 That is, without the place where the Bishop sat, but not without the house, for afterward he went from thence into the porch.
- Matthew 26:74 He swore and cursed himself.
Matthew 26
New English Translation
The Plot Against Jesus
26 When[a] 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[b] to be crucified.”[c] 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[d] 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.”[e]
Jesus’ Anointing
6 Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper,[f] 7 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] 8 When[j] the disciples saw this, they became indignant and said, “Why this waste? 9 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
- 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.
- Matthew 26:2 tn Or “will be delivered up.”
- Matthew 26:2 sn See the note on crucified in 20:19.
- Matthew 26:4 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:5 sn The suggestion here is that Jesus was too popular to openly arrest him.
- Matthew 26:6 sn See the note on leper in Matt 8:2.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Matthew 26:8 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:9 tn Here γάρ (gar) has not been translated.
- 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).
- Matthew 26:10 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:10 tn Grk “For she.” Here γάρ (gar) has not been translated.
- 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.
- Matthew 26:12 tn Grk “For when.” Here γάρ (gar) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:13 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”
- Matthew 26:15 tn Grk “What will you give to me, and I will deliver him over to you?”
- Matthew 26:16 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:16 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Judas) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Matthew 26:17 tn The words “the feast of” are not in the Greek text, but have been supplied for clarity.
- 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.
- 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.
- Matthew 26:18 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:19 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
- Matthew 26:20 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- 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.
- 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.
- Matthew 26:21 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”
- Matthew 26:21 tn Or “will hand me over.”
- Matthew 26:22 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:22 tn The participle λυπούμενοι (lupoumenoi) has been translated as a finite verb to make the sequence of events clear in English.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Matthew 26:25 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Matthew 26:26 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- 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.”
- 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.
- Matthew 26:29 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:29 tn Grk “produce” (“the produce of the vine” is a figurative expression for wine).
- Matthew 26:30 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
- 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.
- Matthew 26:31 sn A quotation from Zech 13:7.
- 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.
- Matthew 26:34 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”
- Matthew 26:39 tn Grk “ground, praying and saying.” Here the participle λέγων (legōn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:39 tn Grk “if it is possible.”
- 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.
- Matthew 26:40 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:42 tn Grk “saying.” The participle λέγων (legōn) is redundant here in contemporary English and has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:42 tn Grk “this”; the referent (the cup) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Matthew 26:43 tn Grk “because their eyes were weighed down,” an idiom for becoming extremely or excessively sleepy (L&N 23.69).
- Matthew 26:46 tn Grk “the one who betrays me.”
- 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).
- Matthew 26:48 tn Grk “the one who betrays him.”
- Matthew 26:48 tn Grk “The one I kiss is he.”
- Matthew 26:48 sn This remark is parenthetical within the narrative and has thus been placed in parentheses.
- Matthew 26:49 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
- 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.
- Matthew 26:50 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:50 tn Grk “and put their hands on Jesus.”
- 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).
- 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.
- Matthew 26:51 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.
- Matthew 26:52 tn The translation “put your sword back in its place” for this phrase is given in L&N 85.52.
- Matthew 26:53 sn A legion was a Roman army unit of about 6,000 soldiers, so twelve legions would be 72,000.
- 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).
- Matthew 26:55 tn Grk “and” (καί, kai), a conjunction that is elastic enough to be used to indicate a contrast, as here.
- Matthew 26:57 tn Grk “where.”
- Matthew 26:57 tn Or “where the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.
- Matthew 26:58 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:58 sn The guards would have been the guards of the chief priests who had accompanied Judas to arrest Jesus.
- Matthew 26:59 tn Grk “Now the.” Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:60 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:61 tn Grk “This one.”
- Matthew 26:62 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the false testimony.
- Matthew 26:63 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Matthew 26:64 sn An allusion to Dan 7:13 (see also Matt 24:30).
- Matthew 26:65 tn Grk “the high priest tore his clothes, saying.”
- 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).
- Matthew 26:66 tn Grk “What do you think?”
- 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.
- 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.”
- 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.
- 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.
- Matthew 26:69 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:69 tn The Greek term here is παιδίσκη (paidiskē), referring to a slave girl or slave woman.
- Matthew 26:70 tn Grk “he denied it…saying.” The participle λέγων (legōn) is redundant in English and has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:71 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:71 tn The words “slave girl” are not in the Greek text, but are implied by the feminine singular form ἄλλη (allē).
- Matthew 26:73 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- Matthew 26:73 tn Grk “your speech.”
- 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.
- 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.
Matthew 26
King James Version
26 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Father's kingdom.
30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 priest's, 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.
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 priest's 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.
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