Wednesday: The Sanhedrin's Conspiracy
Matthew 26, verse 1. Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, Matthew 26, verse 2. “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Matthew 26, verse 3. Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, Matthew 26, verse 4. and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. Matthew 26, verse 5. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”
Anointing for Burial
Matthew 26, verse 6. And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, Matthew 26, verse 7. a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. Matthew 26, verse 8. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? Matthew 26, verse 9. For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” Matthew 26, verse 10. But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. Matthew 26, verse 11. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. Matthew 26, verse 12. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Matthew 26, verse 13. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
Judas Betrays Jesus
Matthew 26, verse 14. Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests Matthew 26, verse 15. and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26, verse 16. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.
Thursday: The Passover Meal
Matthew 26, verse 17. Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” Matthew 26, verse 18. And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.” ’ ” Matthew 26, verse 19. So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover. Matthew 26, verse 20. When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. Matthew 26, verse 21. Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Matthew 26, verse 22. And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” Matthew 26, verse 23. He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. Matthew 26, verse 24. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” Matthew 26, verse 25. Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.”
Institution of the Eucharist
Matthew 26, verse 26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Matthew 26, verse 27. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. Matthew 26, verse 28. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26, verse 29. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26, verse 30. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Prediction of Peter's Denial
Matthew 26, verse 31. Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ Matthew 26, verse 32. But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Matthew 26, verse 33. Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” Matthew 26, verse 34. Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Matthew 26, verse 35. Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.
Gethsemane: Jesus' Prayers
Matthew 26, verse 36. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” Matthew 26, verse 37. And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Matthew 26, verse 38. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” Matthew 26, verse 39. He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. ” Matthew 26, verse 40. Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Matthew 26, verse 41. Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26, verse 42. Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” Matthew 26, verse 43. And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. Matthew 26, verse 44. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Matthew 26, verse 45. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Matthew 26, verse 46. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
Betrayed, Arrested, Forsaken
Matthew 26, verse 47. And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Matthew 26, verse 48. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” Matthew 26, verse 49. Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Matthew 26, verse 50. But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. Matthew 26, verse 51. And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Matthew 26, verse 52. But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Matthew 26, verse 53. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26, verse 54. How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” Matthew 26, verse 55. In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. Matthew 26, verse 56. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
Before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin
Matthew 26, verse 57. And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Matthew 26, verse 58. But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. Matthew 26, verse 59. Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, Matthew 26, verse 60. but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward Matthew 26, verse 61. and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” Matthew 26, verse 62. And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” Matthew 26, verse 63. But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Matthew 26, verse 64. Jesus said to him, “ It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26, verse 65. Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! Matthew 26, verse 66. What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” Matthew 26, verse 67. Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, Matthew 26, verse 68. saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”
Peter's Three Denials
Matthew 26, verse 69. Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” Matthew 26, verse 70. But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” Matthew 26, verse 71. And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Matthew 26, verse 72. But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” Matthew 26, verse 73. And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” Matthew 26, verse 74. Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Matthew 26, verse 75. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.