Study of Matthew

Matthew Chapter 26

Matthew 26:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

The Lord is making sure they know what is to happen so that they are not overwhelmed with fear and think that their mission and purpose has ended when these things begin to come to pass. Even with these words, not all really understood what the Lord was telling them. I guess if someone I loved was to tell me they were going to die a horrible death, I would not want to believe it either.

Matthew 26:2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

Sometimes I wonder why in modern times at least that we take the words of Jesus so lightly. We use to take them seriously but now it seems like we assume they are words of advice that we can take or leave. Yet Jesus said that, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Then and only then does He words apply and the promise of the Holy Spirit become a reality.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

It is when we love Jesus and keep His words that the promise of the Holy Spirit's abiding within us applies. That way God the Father and God the Son can abide with us is through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. How beautiful is that? If we say we love Him and do not abide in His word, we are deceiving ourselves. To love Jesus is to believe in Him and believe His word. The two can't be separated. We can't love God and reject Jesus. We can't love God and not keep or not be interested in the words of Jesus. Yet we see so many make light of or ignore the words of Jesus today. These words are not just good advice to take if we want to or ignore if we don't desire to apply them to our own lives.

We see now the beginning of the words of Jesus, coming to pass.

Matthew 26:3 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.

Notice that it is the religious crowd that steal, kill and destroy. The Romans moved against Jesus only when the religious crowd of that day conspired to accuse Jesus and make the Roman government think He was a law breaker. The religious hierarchy has actually been the main source of persecution against those that are true believers in the word of God. The scribes were fearful of Jesus because He jeopardized their position as religious leaders.

False Religion has been used to unite and control large masses of people ever since the tower of Babel. False Religion will control by fear and it does unite but it is a false unity. It will not bring changed lives and true salvation. It produces hate and fear as opposed to love and peace. They control by the use of fear. The exception is a religion that is completely of Jesus Christ, faith in Him and His salvation and never by the use of force. There is no way to force someone to become a believer in Christ. Religions that use force can never be a true religion because the inner person is not changed. They are just adhering to an ideology or creed, not obeying from the heart or inner person.

While we should be teaching the fear of God. The fear should be a reverent fear of sinning against God, not breaking manmade commandments. Jesus died for sin and made the way for us to be forgiven of sin and delivered from the bondage of sin. Through the Holy Spirit we have power to live above sin and not be in bondage but have the freedom to walk in the spirit. The fruit of the Spirit brings love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Religion does not bring this but makes one dependent upon religious leaders to control and manipulate us into thinking they hold the only way to God and salvation.

Jesus died to free us from rituals, dependency upon priests, and all forms of religious rites and ceremonies. What Jesus died to free us from, man has tried to put back in some form or another ever since. We still should fear allowing sin back into our lives but we should never be in bondage to a creed, organized religion or a person with manmade rules and regulations that are not based on the New Testament promise of salvation by grace and the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 26:6 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.

Notice the type of fault finding here. It makes good sense. I've heard this kind of stuff before. On the surface it may seem sensible to use the money to help the poor. However, this is not teaching us to ignore or not care for the poor but to look deeper into the motive of what someone is trying to do before passing a judgmental comment.

Matthew 26:10 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.

Before Christ comes to set up the perfect kingdom of righteousness, we will always have poor to care for and we should help them. The teaching of Christ starting in Matthew 25 shows us that to care for the poor, especially those that believe in Christ or His brethren, the Jews, is to care for Jesus Christ Himself.

Matthew 26:12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

This woman did this in faith, knowing that Jesus was going to be buried and laid in the grave. This was an act of compassion and faith. This shows us the danger of being judgmental and misunderstanding the motives of someone who we see do things that we don't quite understand.

This is not excusing open sin. We are always to judge righteous judgments and not condone sin in the church. If we don't preach against sin, people will return to sin. We must be careful however, not to make assumptions and be judgmental over trivial things that are not sin.

Matthew 26:13 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.

This was an act of love and compassion from the heart of a woman who didn't consider how much cost was involved.

Matthew 26:14 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.

Evidently Judas was the leader of fault finding here and used this incident to justify the evil already in his heart. He coveted after money and it caused him to betray Christ. If we are willing to compromise the truth of God's word to please crowds in order to keep the money coming in, we are walking on dangerous ground. We must stay true to God's word.

Matthew 26:17 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.

Before Jesus died to fulfill the requirements of the law for the perfect sacrifice to take away the sins of all who would receive the new and living way,; He fulfilled the law and kept the feast days to the letter. The Passover was a memorial of the time when God passed judgment upon Egypt both for their treatment of His people Israel and for their idolatry. All the plagues of Egypt reflected against one or more of their gods. The Passover was the night in which the obedient placed the blood of an innocent lamb upon their doorposts. When the death angel saw that blood, death passed over that household and they were safe.

That showed them a deeper truth. It told of one to come who would be the perfect lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world. His blood applied to the doorposts of their hearts would cause them to escape the coming judgment of God for their sins. It is the only way of salvation. There is no salvation apart from faith in Jesus Christ to save us from sin. Without Jesus we would die in our sin and there is no way to be saved.

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 8:24 shows us there is surely no other way to be free from sin and inherit eternal life. None whatsoever.

Matthew 26:19 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.

Even though this fulfilled scripture and it had to come to pass, Jesus gave Judas every chance to escape. He had a free will to choose not to do this thing.

Matthew 26:22 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.

Judas still will be held accountable for this sin even though it fulfilled prophecy. He didn't have to be the one to betray Jesus.

Psalm 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

In the future tribulation period it is prophesied that many shall betray one another and hate one another.

Matthew 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

Jesus knew what Judas would do. He could have stopped him or made the other disciples restrain him. Jesus though did not come the first time to set up a military take over of Israel or the world. He will the second time but the first time He came it was to make a perfect offering for our sins.

With the power Jesus had, He could have taken over the kingdom by force then and there but no one's eternal soul would be saved. He would have ruled the earth but at our natural death, we would die lost.

The soul that sins shall die spiritually and eternally. This does not mean ceasing to exist because the soul and spirit do not die but it means the soul is lost for eternity in hell if the person who possesses that soul dies in sin or without being cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus.

Jesus had to do the first in order to return and establish the second. He had to come the first time to bring the kingdom of God within us and He will come the second time to usher in the visible kingdom of righteousness. His kingdom is not of this world. We cannot set up that kingdom ahead of His literal coming. Many have tried and made a mess of things. They end up beating up their fellow servants by thinking the Lord delays His coming, so they think they must set it up for Him.

Matthew 26:26 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.

Here we have the first Lord's supper. It is symbolic of what He is about to do for the salvation of all mankind. We are not saved by partaking of the Lord's supper. We partake in remembrance of what He did for us though. We are saved by believing in what He did. We show our faith by turning away from the sin He is saving us from. If we claim we believe in Jesus for salvation but remain in sin, we really are not saved. Being saved from sin means to turn away from it and start walking and living by the spirit.

This is not as some say that we are trusting in works as well as grace by turning from sin. The work Christ did is what saves us but a willingness to turn from sin is the result of truly receiving Jesus Christ and believing in His name. Jesus died for our sins so that we could inherit eternal life. He did not die for our sins so that we could remain in sin and still think we are saved. We are saved from our sins, not just the consequences. However, we need to study and learn what sin is. Sin is not messing up and making mistakes. It is breaking the law of God that is written for our understanding.

Never accuse people of sin over things not found in the word of God. Sin really is a condition of the heart. When one comes to Christ the inner soul of that person is changed to one that desires to live for God. We still have our free will to choose but the desire to live and not sin is available to us and given to us when we are truly saved by grace. We always have a choice to live for God or go back into what Jesus saved us from but the power of the Holy Spirit is with us to show us the way.

Reading and studying the word helps us to be built up in faith so that the "want to" do right is within us at all times. "Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you."

Matthew 26:29 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.

He is waiting for us, just as we are waiting for Him.

Matthew 26:30 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.

Here is that prophecy in Zechariah:

Zechariah 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

This literally happened. If a church is strong in the Lord, they will not scatter if a new pastor is appointed. Yet it happens many times. I too have felt like leaving when the pastor leaves. Yet the real head of the church is Christ. We follow Him. If He is truly our shepherd, we mourn over the loss of a good pastor but we keep following Christ. When Christ was smitten, the disciples were devastated. They didn't know what to do even though the Lord warned them of what was coming.

Matthew 26:32 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.

Pride goes before a fall. We must not allow ourselves to boast in our own will power. Paul said that those that think they are standing need to take heed lest they fall. We are always to watch and pray that we enter not into temptation. Had Peter prayed in the garden that night instead of sleeping, he might not have denied the Lord. That is just my speculation.

Matthew 26:34 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 further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

If there were any other way to save the world and grant eternal life, Jesus would have gladly done it another way but there was no other way. No one was without sin and could pay the price for sin.

Animals could not die for our sins. Animals were only temporary sacrifices that pointed toward the perfect one that could die for sins and transfer the sin from humans onto an innocent man who never sinned. In doing so, the guilty are freed from sin and the innocent one bears the penalty for the sin of the guilty. Glory to God.

Matthew 26:40 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.

This is the reason why we need fervent, faithful and continuous prayer. We can't keep ourselves strong in the Lord unless we abide in Him and have continual fellowship.

Matthew 26:42 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.

This is so true. We reap what we sow. If we are violent, chances are that we will die a violent death. Sometimes genuine repentance will reverse this curse and change our outcome but there are times that even if we repent and are saved, the consequences of our past may cause us to be judged by the present world even though we are innocent in the sight of God through genuine repentance.

Matthew 26:53 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?

It was hard for His followers to see that Jesus didn't come at this time to take over militarily. This is what many thought the Messiah or Christ would do when He came. They were partially right. He will take over militarily at His Second Coming.

Matthew 26:55 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.

Many who really want to do evil will be sneaky about it in order to keep the general public from finding out what they do. Hypocrites like to show an appearance of being good but hide their sin before the world.

Matthew 26:56 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.

This brought about a great change In Peter's life and prepared him for the baptism in the Holy Ghost that was coming on the day of Pentecost. He saw truly that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. He saw the need for constant fellowship and prayer. He was a big strong fisherman but in reality he was weak and in need of a spiritual transformation by the power of God. In ourselves we can do nothing but by the power of God given to us through faith in Jesus Christ, all things are possible.

This shows us also how weak we are when we are around unbelievers. I'll say one thing for Peter, by following Jesus afar off, at least he was trying to do what he said just like the time he got out of the boat and tried to walk on the water like Jesus did. At least Peter got out of the boat. Like fear failed him in the walking on water incident, fear failed him this time also.

This is exactly why we need Christian fellowship. We need to be around those of like faith in order to strengthen one another in the faith. We also need to be filled with the spirit so that we are not trying to "go it alone". Jesus sent the Holy Spirit so that we are not unequally yoked and alone. The baptism in the spirit is not a one time experience. We are to be constantly filled with the spirit. Jesus said, to watch and pray.

We are not to trust in our own ability or talents. We must trust completely and rely completely on His power. DC

Matthew 27