Matthew 26 – Shortcode

1. And it happened when Jesus finished all these words, that He said to His disciples,
2. “You have known that the Passover happens after two days, and the Son of Man is handed over to be crucified.”

(More) Plotting to Kill Jesus

3. Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the courtyard of the high priest called Caiaphas.
4. And they held a council so they might seize and kill Jesus by treachery.
5. But they were saying; “Not during the feast, so it won’t become a riot among the people.”

The Woman Anoints Jesus with Scented Oil

6. And while Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,¹A “leper” is a person suffering from “leprosy” (also called “Hansen’s Disease” in modern times). The disease is caused by the bacteria “M. leprae“. Symptoms includes the outbreak of unsightly skin sores and nerve damage. It was a great social stigma in the ancient world and remains so to this day in many places. The Jews believed that leprosy was caused by sin. Therefore they believed that only the promised messiah would be able to cure leprosy, because only God could forgive sin.
7. a woman having an alabaster bottle of very expensive scented oil approached Him.  And she poured it on His head while He’s reclining at the table.
8. But having seen this, the disciples were indignant, saying; “For what purpose was this waste?
9. “For this was able to be sold for much and the money to be given to the poor.
10. But having known this, Jesus told them; “Why do you cause trouble for the woman?  For, she did a lovely deed to Me.
11. “For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have Me.
12. “For this woman who poured this scented oil on My body did it to prepare Me for burial.
13. “Amen I tell you: wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman did will also be spoken of as a memorial of her.

Judas Betrays Jesus

14. Then having departed, one of the twelve – the man called Judas Iscariot – went to the chief priests.
15. He said; “What do you intend to give me if I will hand Him over²“hand… …over” The Greek word here can also be translated “betray” to you?”  And they paid thirty pieces of silver to him.
16. And from then on, he was seeking an opportunity so he might hand Him over.

The Last Supper

17. Now, on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples approached Jesus, saying; “Where do you intend that we should prepare for you to eat the Passover?”
18. And He said; “Go into the city to a specific³“specific” this Greek word is used when someone’s name is known, but not used.  Likely because it’s not important in this case. man and tell him: “The teacher says: My time is near.  I am celebrating the Passover at your house with My disciples.”
19. And the disciples did as Jesus instructed them and prepared the Passover.
20. And when it became evening, He was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.
21. And while they’re eating, He said to them; “Amen I tell you: one of you will betray Me.”
22. And being deeply grieved, each one of them began to say to Him; “It’s not I Lord, is it?”
23. And answering, He said; “The man who dipped his hand in the bowl with Me, he will betray Me.
24. “Indeed the Son of Man departs, just as it’s *written about Him. But woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for him if that man wasn’t born.”
25. But answering, Judas – the man betraying Him – said; “It’s not I Rabbi, is it?”  He tells him; “You said it.”
26. And while they’re eating, Jesus took bread and after a blessing, He broke it.  And having given it to the disciples, He said; “Take, eat; this is My body.”
27. And having taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying; “Drink from it, all of you.”
28. “For this is My blood of the covenant poured out for the benefit of many, for the forgiveness of sins.
29. “And I tell you: I definitely won’t drink of this fruit of the vine from now until that day when I drink it fresh with you in My Father’s kingdom.
30. And having sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Peter’s Denial Predicted

31. Then Jesus tells them; “All of you will stumble because of Me on this night, for it’s *written: I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.⁴Quotation/allusion to Zechariah 13:7
32. “But after being raised, I will go before you into Galilee.”
33. But answering, Peter told Him; “If all others will stumble because of you, I will never stumble.”
34. Jesus was telling him; “Amen I tell you: on this night – before a rooster crows – you will deny Me three times.”
35. Peter tells Him; “Even if it’s necessary for me to die with you, I definitely won’t deny you.”  And all the disciples said the same thing.

The Garden of Gethsemane

36. Then Jesus comes with them to a place called Gethsemane and tells the disciples; “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
37. And having taken along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be deeply grieved and troubled.
38. Then He tells them; “My soul is engulfed in sorrow, even to death.  Stay here and keep watch with Me.”
39. And having gone forward a little farther, He fell on His face, praying and saying; “My Father; let this cup pass from Me if it’s possible. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.
40. And He goes to the disciples and finds them sleeping.  And He says to Peter; “Couldn’t you keep watch like this for one hour with Me?
41. “Keep watch and pray so you won’t enter into temptation.  Indeed, the spirit is eager but the flesh is weak.”
42. Again, having departed for a second time, He prayed saying; “My Father, if it’s not possible for this cup to pass unless I drink it, let your will be done.”
43. And having come again, He found them sleeping, for their eyes were *burdened.
44. And having left them again, He departed and prayed for a third time, saying the same word again.
45. Then He comes to the disciples and tells them; “You can sleep and rest later. Behold; the hour has drawn near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46. “Wake up, we should go.  Behold; the man betraying Me has drawn near.”

Jesus is Arrested

47. And while He’s still talking, behold; Judas – one of the twelve – came, and with him was a great crowd with swords and clubs from the chief priests and elders of the people.
48. And the man betraying Him gave them a sign, saying; “He is whomever I kiss; seize Him.”
49. And having approached Jesus immediately, he said; “Hello Rabbi” and kissed Him.
50. And Jesus said to him; “Friend, why are you here?”  Then having approached Him, they laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.
51. And behold; having reached out his hand, one of the men with Jesus drew his sword.  And having struck the high priest’s slave, he cut off his ear.
52. “Then Jesus tells him; “Return your sword to its place, for all who take up a sword will perish by a sword.”
53. “Or, do you think that I’m not able to call on My Father, and right now He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
54. “How then could the scriptures be fulfilled, that say it must happen this way?”
55. In that hour, Jesus said to the crowds; “Why did you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a violent robber?⁵“violent robber” is one word in Greek.  It refers to someone who steals through force, as opposed to a burglar or thief who steals through stealth.  I was sitting every day in the temple teaching, and you didn’t seize Me then.
56. “And all this has happened so the prophets’ writings might be fulfilled.”  Then having left Him, all the disciples fled.

Jesus’ Trial

57. Then the men who seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
58. But Peter was following Him from afar, until the high priest’s courtyard.  And having gone inside, he was sitting with the servants to see the outcome.
59. Now, the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin⁶The Sanhedrin was the highest Jewish court of the day. were seeking false testimony against Jesus so they might put Him to death.
60. And they didn’t find any, though many approached as false witnesses.  But having approached later, two said:
61. “This man was saying: “I’m able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.”
62. And having stood up, the high priest said to Him; “You answer nothing?  Why are these men testifying against you?”
63. But Jesus was remaining silent.  And the high priest said to Him; “I put you under oath⁷“I put… …under oath” is one word in Greek, with that exact meaning. by the living God, so tell us if you are the Anointed, the Son of God.
64. Jesus tells him; “You said it.  Nevertheless, I tell you: from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.⁸Quotation/allusion to Daniel 7:13
65. “Then the high priest tore his robes, saying; “He blasphemed!  Why would we still have need of witnesses?  Behold; you heard His blasphemy just now.
66. “What do you think?”  And answering, they said; “He’s guilty and deserves⁹“guilty and deserves” is one word in Greek.  It was a legal/forensic term which indicated guilt for a crime, and thus also that the accused was deserving of punishment. death.”
67. Then they spat in His face, and punched Him, and the synagogue attendants¹⁰“synagogue attendants”  In Greek, this clause simply reads “and the slapped Him”, with no referent to who this other party is.  However, the parallel passage in  Mark 14:65 tells us, hence the translation here. slapped¹¹“slapped”.  The Greek word here could also mean “to strike with a rod” Him,
68. saying; “Prophesy to us Anointed One: who is the man who hit you?”

Peter Denies Jesus

69. Now, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and one servant girl approached him, saying; “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.”
70. But he denied it before all of them, saying; “I don’t *know what you’re talking about.”
71. Then having departed out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and tells the men there; “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72. And again, he denied it with an oath, saying; “I don’t *know the man.”
73. But having approached him after a little while, the men *standing there said to Peter; “Surely you’re also one of them, for even your accent makes you obvious.”
74. Then he began to curse and to make an oath, saying; “I don’t *know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.
75. And Peter was reminded of the word Jesus had *spoken, that: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”  And having gone outside, he wept bitterly.