This chapter covers the Jewish leaders’ plot to kill Jesus, Judas Iscariot‘s agreement to betray Jesus to Caiaphas, the Last Supper with the Twelve apostles and institution of the Eucharist, the agony in the garden of Gethsemane and the subsequent vindication of Jesus’ predictions that one of the twelve will betray him and that he will be disowned by Peter.

This chapter is divided into 75 verses as follows:

The Plot to Kill Jesus (Matthew 26:1–5)

The Anointing at Bethany (Matthew 26:6–13)

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14–16)

Jesus Celebrates Passover with His Disciples (Matthew 26:17–25)

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26–30)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial (Matthew 26:31–35)

The Prayer in the Garden (Matthew 26:36–46)

Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:47–56)

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57–68)

Peter Denies Jesus, and Weeps Bitterly (Matthew 26:69–75

In Matthew’s Gospel, the teaching of Jesus is now finished. In the last days leading up to his betrayal and crucifixion, he warned the multitudes about the corrupt religious leadership, and he spoke to his disciples about things to come. Now, it was time for Jesus to fulfill his work on the cross.  One theologian writes, “Having instructed his disciples and the Jews by his discourses, edified them by his example, convinced them by his miracles, he now prepares to redeem them by his blood!”

The Meaning of Jesus’ Death: As Jesus’ death approaches, he instructs his disciples more fully in the meaning of his mission. The disciples could not guess that their teacher’s death was part of God’s sovereign plan, and they would scatter in fear once it came; but by reinterpreting a familiar ritual (the Passover, an annual celebration of how God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt), Jesus gave them a new way of looking at God’s purposes, which would make sense once he had risen.  Jesus’ mission signifies a new Passover (26:17-20). In the context of the Passover, Jesus shows that his own mission provides a new act of redemption (vv. 17-20, 26).

 The Last Supper: “‘¹⁷ On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” ⁸ He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” ¹⁹ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. ²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” ²⁷ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ²⁹ I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” ³⁰ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.’”

BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW: APRIL 2 – APRIL 9, 2017

The Arrest, Trials and Death of Jesus (26:14—27:66)

The Resurrection ( 28):

The Earthquake and the Angel’s Announcement (28:1–7)

Jesus’ Encounter with the Women (28:8–10)

The Guards’ Report and the Jewish Elders’ Bribe (28:11–15)

The Great Commission (28:16–20)