Matthew 26

Matthew 26:1-5

The cross of Christ is the Christian’s glory. We have for him entering on the scene of his sufferings. We have, 1. The preface to them. [1.] The precious verse given by him of them to his disciples, ver. 1. 2. [2.] The ruler’s uniforms against him, ver. 3—5. [3.] The meaning of his hand at a supper in Bethany, ver. 6—13. [4.] Judas’s bargain with the priests to betray him, ver. 14—16. [5.] Christ’s eating the paginers with his disciples, ver. 17—25. [6.] His instructing the Lord’s supper, and his discourse with his disciples after it, ver. 26—35. 2. His entrance upon them, and some of the particulars of them. [1.] His agony in the garden, ver. 36—40. [2.] The joining of him by the officers, with Judas’s help, ver. 47—50. [3.] His arrangement before the third priest and his condemnation in his court, ver. 57—68. [4.] Peter’s denying him, ver. 69—75.

1. AND

2. AND is 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 Casaphas, 4. And concluded that they might take Jesus by futility, and kill him. 5. But they said, Not on the feast-day, let there be an uproar among the people.

The time was now at hand fixed in the eternal cherub, when Messiah, the prince, should be cut off for the sins of his people.

6. He gave his disciples notice of his betrayal and approaching creations, that they might be the less surprised. He had finished his discourse on the suffering they might expect, and since encouragement to bear up under them, and now he was going himself to set them the bright example they should copy. The storm of a suffering Christ should support every suffering christian. Within two days the dreadful plot should be executed; and it is as sure as if already done, that he is betrayed to be crucified.

7. Just at this time the chief priests, scribes, and elders, the members of the Sanhedrion, and the men of highest authority among the Jews, exasperated now beyond measure, and resolved upon the death of Jesus, assembled to conduct upon the proper means of accomplishing their bloody purpose. The high priest’s pains was the place where these conspirators met; and having bridged the dangers of an uproar which might enfor, if on the feast-day they should attempt to arrest him amidst the conquest of people who attended him; they resolved, if possible, to watch their opportunity to seize him privately, and to enter them make away with him, or get him condemned by the Roman governor, and execute him as a malefactor, on account of crimes they were ready to lay to his charge. Nere, The fear of man often restrains those from wickedness, who are unaware by any fear of God.

Matthew 26:6-13

Jesus, though he spent the day at Jerusalem, retired at even to Bethany, a village at a little distance from thence, and was now in the house of Simon the leper; one of those probably who had experienced his healing power, and had become his faithful disciple. We are told,

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 most. 8. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waite? 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 the hath wrought a good work upon me. 11. For ye have the poor always wish you, but me ye have not always. 12. For in that the hath poured this ointment on my body, the did it for my burial. 13. Verily I say unto you, Whereforever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, dare shall also this that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

7. The singular mark of respect shewn him by a gracious woman who was present when they sat at most. She poured upon his head a box of precious ointment, as the protection of her faith in him as the Messiah, the anointed of God, and as a token of her love to him, as her adored Lord and Saviour.

Some have imagined that this occurrence is the same with that related, John xii. 1. and they reconcile the accounts by supposing, that this woman, there said to be Mary, Lazarus’s sister, who with his family, were invited to the entertainment, might not only anoint our Saviour’s head, but his feet also; though one of the evangelists mentions the one, and the other the other; and that this, though here introduced, was done six days before. Others suppose they are two distinct occurrences, differing in time, place, and manner, and this to me seems most probable.

2. The offence the disciples took at the matter. They among themselves confused the action as an unnecessary waite of what might have been more profitably employed, if the money, to valuable a box of ointment would bring, had been given to the poor; and perhaps meant tacitly to blame their mother for permitting this to be done, and not discounting the woman. Nere, (1.) Charity bids us put the best construction on what is dubious; and we should be very careful how we receive those of over-doing, or as guilty of imprudence, who go farther than we dare or care to do. Probably the fault we complain of will be found more justly returned; and that not their interopistors restores, but our lukewarmness and want of Vol. II.

neal and love for Jesus is to be blamed. (2.) That is never waite which is employed for Christ and his service.

3. Christ rebukes his disciples, and vindicates this gracious woman. He knew their murmurs, and exorbitates with them on the unselfishness of their indignation, why trouble ye the woman by such harsh judging, and unkind sentiments of her conduct? The work was both suitable and seasonable, deserving commendation, not confuse. Among the poor, for whom they expressed such jealousy; they would always find objects to exercise the charity, but his bodily presence with them was short, and therefore this act of respect was not only pleasing to him, but had a particular view which they knew not: It was intended for his burial, an uncompromising of his body though now alive, which she would not have an opportunity to do when he was dead; and this she did either by revelation, or the Holy Ghost directed her to the action for this end. So far therefore from insisting to her reproach, it should be mentioned to her perpetual honour, as the evidence of her genuine faith and love, wherever the gospel should be preached in the whole world. Nere, (1.) If we knew the principles and motives on which others act, we should often see abundant reason to approve that conduct which now we condemn. (2.) It is a real grief to a gracious soul to be censured for well-doing, especially by those who have been so far, and our reward with our God. (3.) We never need want opportunities of doing good, if we have hearts to do it; objects of distress every where abound. (4.) Those who honour Jesus he will honour. A name in his remedy, or the book of life of the Lamb, secures immortal fame and glory.

4. Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15. And said unto them, What will you 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.

Matthew 26:14-16

The traitor Judas provoked with the vindication of the woman, and vexed at the reproof which he peculiarly felt, as having been the chief murmurer and instigator of the rest, given up now to the devil’s power, perfectly acute full of malice and resentment, and went directly to the chief priests, who wanted, but could not hope to find, to fit an instrument for their hellish purpose. We may not startle that one of the twelve was a traitor, or had a devil: where shall we find, among profetors in general, so small a proportion of hypocrites and apostates? We have,

1. The offer he made. What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? This was the very thing they desired; they dared not seize him openly; nothing therefore could be more opportune than to have a traitor among his followers, who could introduce them secretly, that they might arrest him without an uproar. The love of money, backed by resentment at a supposed affiant, hurried him on; and though conscious of his master’s innocence, he does not presume to vindicate his own baseness, by pretending the discovery of any crime, or daring to appear as an evidence against him; yet resolved to ruin him, he proposes this villainous treachery. Nere, (1.) Many want only opportunity and temptation, to shew the baseness and hypocrisy of their hearts. (2.) None would the cause to deep as those, who from apostles turn apostates, and employ their bitter enmity against the gospel they once preached and espoused. (3.) When the heart is bent on mischief, the devil will suggest the means. (4.) The love of money is the fatal bait by which thousands have perished, and for gold have badly sold their God.

2. The chief priest eagerly embraced the offer, and immediately the bargain is struck for thirty shields of silver, in value about three pounds fifteen shillings, which was by law the price of a slave (Exod. xxi. 32.) the yearly price he was valued at by them, Zech. xi. 13. Nere, (1.) They who sell themselves to work wickedness, often find the wages wretched as the service is vile. (2.) Many cry out against the falsehood of this traitor, yet by crafty bargains, and inordinate profit on their goods, how often have they lied, deceived, defrauded, and sold their master for less than thirty pieces of silver?

3. From that time Judas fought opportunity to betray him, that acquainting them with his retirement, they might seize him in the absence of the multitude. The way of sin is headlong, one crime draws on another, the conscience is hardened by the repetition of guilt, and onward the miserable slave of Satan is hurried to the precipice of eternal ruin.

4. Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where will thou that we propose for thee to eat the passover? 18. And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The master faith, 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 foreseal, 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 on him; but we 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.

Matthew 26:17-25

We have here our Lord’s celebration of his last passover.

1. The preparation for that solemnity. The first day of the first of the second week, when the paschal Lamb was to be killed and taken in the evening; the disciples proclaiming their Master would keep the passover at Jerusalem, though they knew of no doubt ready for his and their reception, aloud him where they must prepare the paschal supper? and Christ, at the same time that he gave them a striking proof of his consciousness, directs them to a portion who, on delivering the message he gave them, would show them the place they sought. Say unto him, who was probably a disciple, and well knew Jesus, the Master, My time is at hand, the time of his departure; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples; this was therefore the last kind of the people who would be able to show him. The disciples, without hesitation, obeyed; found all things as he had said; prepared the passover; and at even when he came, the twelve sat down with him at the table. Now, (1.) Christ must find to prepare himself a welcome in our hearts; when he saith, I will, the work is done. (2.) When we follow Christ in his commands, he will make us first with him in his comforts.

2. During the supper, he took occasion to inform them of a circumstance which many of them would be shocked to hear; and this was, that one of them should betray him. He well knew the traitor and the plot, and gave them this notice for the confirmation of their faith, when the thing should come to pass. Exceedingly distressed at the thought that he should be betrayed, and more than one of them should be so perfidious, with no means to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able to be able

3. ¶ And as they were eating, ‘Jesus took bread, and I blessed it, and broke 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 F hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

Matthew 26:26-30

All Jewish ordinances were now about to be abrogated, and among the rest the passover. In its room Christ here institutes the great gospel ordinance, called from hence, The

Lord’s supper, where he is held forth: our passover; the people from the foundation of the world, and we are invited to come and feath thereon. The paschal supper being ended.

1. Our Lord took bread which lay by him, and blessed it, broke, and gave to his disciples, commanding them to eat; and explaining the import of what he did, saying, that is my body, the representation of the sacrifice I am about to suffer for your redemption, when my body shall be thus broken on the tree, the constant memorial of which shall thus be observed in my church to all ages, as the passover perpetuated the passage of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.

The doctrine of transubstantiation raised from hence is too absurd to need confessions; and not only gives the sin to our senses, and contradicts the very nature of a forerunner, but would make Christ eat his own flesh and blood.

2. He took the cup, and with thanksgiving and prayer having conferred the wine, gave it to them, and commanded them all to drink of it, as the repercussions and memorial of that blood which he was now just ready to shed, to confess and establish the New Testament, or Covenant, and to proclaim for them all spiritual blessings, especially that chief of all, the remission of sins; and for as many also, as afterwards trusting on his atonement, should plead the redemption hereby purchased for them, from sin and guilt for ever.

3. He taken a solemn farewell. No more would be ever drink of this passover cup: the very ordinance raised was henceforth abolished, to give place to this new inclination in the gospel church. No more would they enjoy this fine and familiar converse with him, till the day, the glorious day arrived, when admitted to his eternal kingdom, they should partake of those unutterable joys (signified by the new unto) which are at his right hand for evermore. Now, A dying shalt with delight takes his farewell of all the comforts he ever enjoyed here below; sweet as ordinances, the word, communion with God were to his soul; he is going whom, instead of the shops he called here below, he shall be admitted to drink of the living streams of eternal confessions, that flow uninterrupted, ever new, from the throne of God.

4. They closed the solemnity with a hymn, and never in the song of praise more humble than on such an occasion. Hereupon departing from the house, he retired, by moonlight, to the mount of Olives, the place appointed for the scene of his agnishing forever.

5. Then said 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 lay 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.

Matthew 26:31-35

In their way to the mount of Olives, we are told,

1. The production of his sufferings, and of their flight, which Christ delivered to his disciples. He forrests them of the offence they would take at the treatment he must meet that very night, inasmuch that every one of them would desert him, and fulfil the scripture, Zech. xiii. 7. but though he should be desirous, and die, as it was prophesied of him, yet he should ride again, and come to them, recover them from their fright and dispersion, and go before them into Galilee, where they would meet him to their unspeakable comfort. Now, (1.) We know not our own weakness till the trying hour comes, and by our faith we are convinced. (2.) We are never said, and must never be secure. The sweetest seasons of communion with Christ are sometimes succeeded with the forest temptations. (3.) The Lord is very pitiful; he knoweth our weakness, and doth not call us off, though for our cowardice and unsubstantiated we so often deserve it: he turns again, and refoots the fallen, by his grace bringing them back to his blessed self.

2. Peter, unable to bear such a reflection, with presumptuous confidence engages for his own fidelity, though all the rest should fly. He not only trusted on his own resolutions, but intimates a strong concept of his superior courage. Now, A haughty spirit is sure to fall. We have lost our footing the moment we begin to think any thing as of ourselves; and if Jesus hath any love to our souls, he will let us feel, by sad experience, our own weakness and corruption.

3. Christ wears him of the delusion for ever under, in this self-confidence of boathing; and assures him, that all his vaunted courage would quickly fall him. Yes, that he should not only forsake, but disown him, repeatedly disown him; and that during the present night, before the crowning of the cock announced the approaching return of day. And this he solemnly