Matthew 26 is a pivotal chapter in the Gospel, marking the beginning of Jesus’ suffering leading to His crucifixion. It is a deeply emotional and prophetic chapter, filled with betrayal, sorrow, and divine purpose. It includes Jesus’ anointing at Bethany, Judas’ agreement to betray Him, the Last Supper, His prayers in Gethsemane, His arrest, and Peter’s denial.
The chapter opens with Jesus telling His disciples, "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." While He speaks of His coming suffering, the chief priests and elders secretly gather at the house of Caiaphas, the high priest, to plot His death. They decide not to act during the feast to avoid an uproar among the people.
Meanwhile, Jesus is at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper. A woman comes with an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment and pours it on His head. The disciples are indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this might have been sold for much and given to the poor." But Jesus defends her, saying, "She has done a good work for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me." He explains that she has anointed Him for burial and declares that her act of love will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached.
Immediately after this, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, goes to the chief priests and asks, "What are you willing to give me, that I should deliver him to you?" They agree to pay him thirty pieces of silver. From then on, Judas looks for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples ask Jesus where they should prepare the Passover meal. He instructs them to go into the city and find a certain man, telling him, "The Teacher says, ‘My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’" They prepare the meal, and in the evening, Jesus sits with the twelve. As they eat, He announces, "Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me." The disciples are deeply troubled, each asking, "It isn’t me, is it, Lord?" Jesus confirms that the betrayer is among them, saying, "He who dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me."
Then Jesus takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them, saying, "Take, eat; this is my body." He then takes a cup, gives thanks, and gives it to them, saying, "Drink all of it, for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins." He declares that He will not drink wine again until He drinks it new in His Father’s kingdom.
After singing a hymn, they go to the Mount of Olives, where Jesus tells them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’" Peter insists, "Even if all are made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble." Jesus responds, "Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." Peter and the others all insist they will never deny Him.
They arrive at Gethsemane, where Jesus asks His disciples to stay and watch while He prays. Taking Peter, James, and John further, He becomes sorrowful and distressed, saying, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me." He falls on His face and prays, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire." Returning to His disciples, He finds them asleep and warns them, "Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Judas arrives with a large crowd armed with swords and clubs. He approaches Jesus and greets Him with a kiss, signaling the arrest. Jesus responds, "Friend, why are you here?" The soldiers seize Him, and Peter draws his sword, cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus rebukes him, saying, "Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword." He reminds them that He could call upon more than twelve legions of angels, but He must fulfill the Scriptures.
Jesus is taken to Caiaphas, where the chief priests and elders have gathered. False witnesses accuse Him, but their testimonies do not agree. Finally, the high priest asks, "Tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus answers, "You have said it. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of the sky." The high priest tears his clothes, declaring Jesus guilty of blasphemy. The council condemns Him to death and begins to mock and beat Him.
Meanwhile, Peter sits outside in the courtyard. A servant girl recognizes him and says, "You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!" But Peter denies it before everyone. Twice more, others accuse him of being with Jesus, and each time he denies it, finally swearing, "I don’t know the man!" Immediately, a rooster crows, and Peter remembers Jesus’ words. Overcome with sorrow, he goes out and weeps bitterly.
Matthew 26 is a chapter filled with human weakness, divine purpose, and the unfolding of God’s plan for salvation. The anointing at Bethany foreshadows Jesus’ burial. The betrayal by Judas reveals the darkness in human hearts, while Peter’s denial shows our own struggles with fear and weakness. The Last Supper establishes the new covenant, and Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane displays His submission to the Father’s will. His arrest and trial reveal the corruption of human justice, yet through it all, He remains steadfast in His mission.
This chapter challenges us to reflect on our own faith. Are we like the woman who gave her best to Jesus, or like Judas, who betrayed Him for worldly gain? Do we, like Peter, falter under pressure, or do we remain steadfast in our love for Christ? Jesus’ sacrifice was not just an event in history—it calls us to deeper faith, devotion, and trust in God’s plan.