Net English TranslationMatthew 26 =
The Plot Against Jesus
26

1 When1 Jesus had finished saying all these things, he told his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over2 to be crucified.”3 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people met together in the palace of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas. 4 They4 planned to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, so that there won’t be a riot among the people.”5

Jesus’ Anointing

6 Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar6 of expensive perfumed oil,7 and she poured it on his head as he was at the table.8 8 When9 the disciples saw this, they became indignant and said, “Why this waste? 9 It10 could have been sold at a high price and the money11 given to the poor!” 10 When12 Jesus learned of this, he said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She13 has done a good service for me. 11 For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me!14 12 When15 she poured this oil on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 I tell you the truth,16 wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

The Plan to Betray Jesus

14 Then one of the twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me to betray him into your hands?”17 So they set out thirty silver coins for him. 16 From that time18 on, Judas19 began looking for an opportunity to betray him.

The Passover

17 Now on the first day of the feast of20 Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and said,21 “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”22 18 He23 said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I will observe the Passover with my disciples at your house.”’” 19 So24 the disciples did as Jesus had instructed them, and they prepared the Passover. 20 When25 it was evening, he took his place at the table26 with the twelve.27 21 And while they were eating he said, “I tell you the truth,28 one of you will betray me.”29 22 They30 became greatly distressed31 and each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 He32 answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me33 will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born.” 25 Then34 Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus35 replied, “You have said it yourself.”

The Lord’s Supper

26 While36 they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” 27 And after taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood, the blood37 of the covenant,38 that is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I39 tell you, from now on I will not drink of this fruit40 of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 After41 singing a hymn,42 they went out to the Mount of Olives.

The Prediction of Peter’s Denial

31 Then Jesus said to them, “This night you will all fall away because of me, for it is written:

‘I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’43

32 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter44 said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” 34 Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth,45 on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.” And all the disciples said the same thing.

Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and became anguished and distressed. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed,46 “My Father, if possible,47 let this cup48 pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He49 said to Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed,50 “My Father, if this cup51 cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done.” 43 He came again and found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open.52 44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is approaching, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer53 is approaching!”

Betrayal and Arrest

47 While he was still speaking, Judas,54 one of the twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 (Now the betrayer55 had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man.56 Arrest him!”)57 49 Immediately58 he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and kissed him.59 50 Jesus60 said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and took hold61 of Jesus and arrested him. 51 But62 one of those with Jesus grabbed63 his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest’s slave,64 cutting off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place!65 For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legions66 of angels right now? 54 How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled?” 55 At that moment Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw?67 Day after day I sat teaching in the temple courts, yet68 you did not arrest me. 56 But this has happened so that69 the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Condemned by the Sanhedrin

57 Now the ones who had arrested Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, in whose house70 the experts in the law71 and the elders had gathered. 58 But Peter was following him from a distance, all the way to the high priest’s courtyard. After72 going in, he sat with the guards73 to see the outcome. 59 The74 chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were trying to find false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find anything, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally75 two came forward 61 and declared, “This man76 said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 62 So77 the high priest stood up and said to him, “Have you no answer? What is this that they are testifying against you?” 63 But Jesus was silent. The78 high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ,79 the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand80 of the Power81 and coming on the clouds of heaven.”82 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and declared,83 “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Now84 you have heard the blasphemy! 66 What is your verdict?”85 They86 answered, “He is guilty and deserves87 death.” 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy for us, you Christ!88 Who hit you?”89

Peter’s Denials

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A90 slave girl91 came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it in front of them all:92 “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” 71 When93 he went out to the gateway, another slave girl94 saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.” 72 He denied it again with an oath, “I do not know the man!” 73 After95 a little while, those standing there came up to Peter and said, “You really are one of them too – even your accent96 gives you away!” 74 At that he began to curse, and he swore with an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment a rooster crowed.97 75 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.98

1tn Grk “And it happened when.” The introductory phrase καὶ ἐγένετο (kai egeneto, “it happened that”) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. 2tn Or “will be delivered up.” 3sn See the note on crucified in 20:19. 4tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated. 5sn The suggestion here is that Jesus was too popular to openly arrest him. 6sn A jar made of alabaster stone was normally used for very precious substances like perfumes. It normally had a long neck which was sealed and had to be broken off so the contents could be used. 7tn Μύρον (muron) was usually made of myrrh (from which the English word is derived) but here it is used in the sense of ointment or perfumed oil (L&N 6.205).sn Nard or spikenard is a fragrant oil from the root and spike of the nard plant of northern India. This perfumed oil, if made of something like nard, would have been extremely expensive, costing up to a year’s pay for an average laborer. 8tn Grk “as he was reclining at table.”sn 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away. 9tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 10tn Here γάρ (gar) has not been translated. 11tn The words “the money” are not in the Greek text, but are implied (as the proceeds from the sale of the perfumed oil). 12tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 13tn Grk “For she.” Here γάρ (gar) has not been translated. 14tn In the Greek text of this clause, “me” is in emphatic position (the first word in the clause). To convey some impression of the emphasis, an exclamation point is used in the translation. 15tn Grk “For when.” Here γάρ (gar) has not been translated. 16tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.” 17tn Grk “What will you give to me, and I will betray him to you?” 18tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated. 19tn Grk “he”; the referent (Judas) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 20tn The words “the feast of” are not in the Greek text, but have been supplied for clarity. 21tn Grk “the disciples came to Jesus, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) has been translated as a finite verb to make the sequence of events clear in English. 22sn This required getting a suitable lamb and finding lodging in Jerusalem where the meal could be eaten. The population of the city swelled during the feast, so lodging could be difficult to find. The Passover was celebrated each year in commemoration of the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt; thus it was a feast celebrating redemption (see Exod 12). The Passover lamb was roasted and eaten after sunset in a family group of at least ten people (m. Pesahim 7.13). People ate the meal while reclining (see the note on table in 26:20). It included, besides the lamb, unleavened bread and bitter herbs as a reminder of Israel’s bitter affliction at the hands of the Egyptians. Four cups of wine mixed with water were also used for the meal. For a further description of the meal and the significance of the wine cups, see E. Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 523-24. 23tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 24tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic. 25tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 26tn Grk “he was reclining at table,” as 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away. 27tc Many witnesses, some of them important, have μαθητῶν (maqhtwn, “disciples”; א A L W Δ Θ 33 892 1241 1424 pm lat) or μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ (maqhtwn autou, “his disciples”; 0281 pc it) after δώδεκα (dwdeka, “twelve”). However, such clarifications are typical scribal expansions to the text. Further, the shorter reading (the one that ends with δώδεκα) has strong support in Ì37vid,45vid B D K Γ Ë1,13 565 579 700 pm. Thus both internally and externally the reading that ends the verse with “the twelve” is to be preferred. 28tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.” 29tn Or “will hand me over.” 30tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated. 31tn The participle λυπούμενοι (lupoumenoi) has been translated as a finite verb to make the sequence of events clear in English. 32tn Grk “answering, he said.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 33sn The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me. The point of Jesus’ comment here is not to identify the specific individual per se, but to indicate that it is one who was close to him – somebody whom no one would suspect. His comment serves to heighten the treachery of Judas’ betrayal. 34tn Grk “answering, Judas.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to reflect the sequence of events in the narrative. 35tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 36tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 37tn Grk “for this is my blood of the covenant that is poured out for many.” In order to avoid confusion about which is poured out, the translation supplies “blood” twice so that the following phrase clearly modifies “blood,” not “covenant.” 38tc Although most witnesses read καινῆς (kainhs, “new”) here, this is evidently motivated by the parallel in Luke 22:20. Apart from the possibility of homoioteleuton, there is no good reason for the shorter reading to have arisen later on. But since it is found in such good and diverse witnesses (e.g., Ì37,45vid א B L Z Θ 0298vid 33 pc mae), the likelihood of homoioteleuton becomes rather remote.sn Jesus’ death established the forgiveness promised in the new covenant of Jer 31:31. Jesus is reinterpreting the symbolism of the Passover meal, indicating the presence of a new era. 39tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 40tn Grk “produce” (“the produce of the vine” is a figurative expression for wine). 41tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated. 42sn After singing a hymn. The Hallel Psalms (Pss 113-118) were sung during the meal. Psalms 113 and 114 were sung just before the second cup and 115-118 were sung at the end of the meal, after the fourth, or hallel cup. 43sn A quotation from Zech 13:7. 44tn Grk “answering, Peter said to him.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 45tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.” 46tn Grk “ground, praying and saying.” Here the participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. 47tn Grk “if it is possible.” 48sn This cup alludes to the wrath of God that Jesus would experience (in the form of suffering and death) for us. See Ps 11:6; 75:8-9; Isa 51:17, 19, 22 for this figure. 49tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated. 50tn Grk “saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant here in contemporary English and has not been translated. 51tn Grk “this”; the referent (the cup) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 52tn Grk “because their eyes were weighed down,” an idiom for becoming extremely or excessively sleepy (L&N 23.69). 53tn Grk “the one who betrays me.” 54tn Grk “behold, Judas.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1). 55tn Grk “the one who betrays him.” 56tn Grk “The one I kiss is he.” 57sn This remark is parenthetical within the narrative and has thus been placed in parentheses. 58tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated. 59sn Judas’ act of betrayal when he kissed Jesus is especially sinister when it is realized that it was common in the culture of the times for a disciple to kiss his master when greeting him. 60tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 61tn Grk “and put their hands on Jesus.” 62tn Grk “And behold one.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1). 63tn Grk “extending his hand, drew out his sword, and struck.” Because rapid motion is implied in the circumstances, the translation “grabbed” was used. 64tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9. 65tn The translation “put your sword back in its place” for this phrase is given in L&N 85.52. 66sn A legion was a Roman army unit of about 6,000 soldiers, so twelve legions would be 72,000. 67tn Or “a revolutionary.” This term can refer to one who stirs up rebellion: BDAG 594 s.v. λῃστής 2 has “revolutionary, insurrectionist, guerrilla” citing evidence from Josephus (J. W. 2.13.2-3 [2.253-254]). However, this usage generally postdates Jesus’ time. It does refer to a figure of violence. Luke uses the same term for the highwaymen who attack the traveler in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30). 68tn Grk “and” (καί, kai), a conjunction that is elastic enough to be used to indicate a contrast, as here. 69tn Grk “But so that”; the verb “has happened” is implied. 70tn Grk “where.” 71tn Or “where the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4. 72tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated. 73sn The guards would have been the guards of the chief priests who had accompanied Judas to arrest Jesus. 74tn Grk “Now the.” Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 75tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 76tn Grk “This one.” 77tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the false testimony. 78tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated. 79tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”sn See the note on Christ in 1:16. 80sn An allusion to Ps 110:1. This is a claim that Jesus shares authority with God in heaven. Those present may have thought they were his judges, but, in fact, the reverse was true. 81sn The expression the right hand of the Power is a circumlocution for referring to God. Such indirect references to God were common in 1st century Judaism out of reverence for the divine name. 82sn An allusion to Dan 7:13 (see also Matt 24:30). 83tn Grk “the high priest tore his clothes, saying.” 84tn Grk “Behold now.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1). 85tn Grk “What do you think?” 86tn Grk “answering, they said.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation. Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 87tn Grk “he is guilty of death.” L&N 88.313 states, “pertaining to being guilty and thus deserving some particular penalty – ‘guilty and deserving, guilty and punishable by.’ οἱ δὲ ἀποκριθέντες εἶπαν, ᾿Ενοχος θανάτου ἐστίν ‘they answered, He is guilty and deserves death’ Mt 26:66.” 88tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”sn See the note on Christ in 1:16. 89tn Grk “Who is the one who hit you?”sn Who hit you? This is a variation of one of three ancient games that involved blindfolds. 90tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated. 91tn The Greek term here is παιδίσκη (paidiskh), referring to a slave girl or slave woman. 92tn Grk “he denied it…saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant in English and has not been translated. 93tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 94tn The words “slave girl” are not in the Greek text, but are implied by the feminine singular form ἄλλη (allh). 95tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated. 96tn Grk “your speech.” 97tn It seems most likely that this refers to a real rooster crowing, although a number of scholars have suggested that “cockcrow” is a technical term referring to the trumpet call which ended the third watch of the night (from midnight to 3 a.m.). This would then be a reference to the Roman gallicinium (ἀλεκτοροφωνία, alektorofwnia; the term is used in Mark 13:35 and is found in some mss [Ì37vid,45 Ë1] in Matt 26:34) which would have been sounded at 3 a.m.; in this case Jesus would have prophesied a precise time by which the denials would have taken place. For more details see J. H. Bernard, St. John (ICC), 2:604. However, in light of the fact that Mark mentions the rooster crowing twice (Mark 14:72) and in Luke 22:60 the words are reversed (ἐφώνησεν ἀλέκτωρ, efwnhsen alektwr), it is more probable that a real rooster is in view. In any event natural cockcrow would have occurred at approximately 3 a.m. in Palestine at this time of year (March-April) anyway. 98sn When Peter went out and wept bitterly it shows he really did not want to fail here and was deeply grieved that he had.
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