Matthew 26: Jesus Betrayed, Tried, and Denied

Short answer: Matthew 26 records Jesus announcing his coming crucifixion, instituting the Lord's Supper, praying in Gethsemane, being betrayed by Judas, arrested, and condemned by the high priest. It also includes Peter's threefold denial before the rooster crows.

What Matthew 26 says

Matthew 26 opens with Jesus finishing his teaching and telling his disciples that after two days the Passover comes and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified. Meanwhile, the chief priests, scribes, and elders gather in the court of Caiaphas and plot to seize Jesus by deceit and kill him, but they decide not to do it during the feast to avoid a riot. In Bethany, at the house of Simon the leper, a woman pours expensive ointment on Jesus' head. The disciples are indignant at the waste, but Jesus defends her, saying she has done a good work to prepare him for burial, and promises her deed will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached.

Then Judas Iscariot goes to the chief priests and asks what they will give him to deliver Jesus to them. They weigh out thirty pieces of silver, and from that time he seeks an opportunity to betray him. On the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples ask where to prepare the Passover. Jesus sends them into the city to a certain person, saying his time is at hand, and they prepare the meal. That evening, as they recline at the table, Jesus announces that one of them will betray him. The disciples are exceedingly sorrowful and each asks if it is him. Jesus identifies the betrayer as the one who dips his hand with him in the dish, and pronounces woe on that man. Judas asks if it is him, and Jesus replies that he has said it.

During the meal, Jesus takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to the disciples, saying it is his body. He takes the cup, gives thanks, and gives it to them, saying it is his blood of the new covenant poured out for many for the remission of sins. He tells them he will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until he drinks it anew with them in his Father's kingdom. After singing a hymn, they go out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus predicts that all will stumble because of him that night, quoting that the shepherd will be struck and the sheep scattered, but after he is raised he will go before them into Galilee. Peter insists he will never stumble, but Jesus tells him that before the rooster crows he will deny him three times. Peter and all the disciples insist they will not deny him.

In Gethsemane, Jesus takes Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and begins to be sorrowful and severely troubled. He tells them his soul is exceedingly sorrowful even to death, and asks them to watch with him. He falls on his face and prays that if possible the cup may pass from him, yet not his will but the Father's. He finds them sleeping and urges them to watch and pray so they do not enter temptation, noting the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. He prays a second and third time, and then tells them the hour is at hand. Judas arrives with a great multitude with swords and clubs. He kisses Jesus, and they seize him. One with Jesus draws a sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant, but Jesus tells him to put it back, for all who take the sword will die by the sword, and that he could ask for twelve legions of angels, but the Scriptures must be fulfilled. The disciples flee. Jesus is led to Caiaphas, where false witnesses testify, and the high priest adjures him to say if he is the Christ. Jesus affirms it and says they will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds. The high priest tears his clothes and declares blasphemy; they condemn Jesus as worthy of death and abuse him. Meanwhile, Peter sits outside, and a maid recognizes him as being with Jesus. He denies it, then denies again with an oath, and a third time with cursing and swearing. Immediately the rooster crows, and Peter remembers Jesus' word, goes out, and weeps bitterly.

Verses that carry the chapter

• ““You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” (Matthew 26:2)” (Matthew 26:2) — Jesus plainly states that the Passover is near and that he will be delivered up to be crucified, showing his foreknowledge and resolve.
• “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26)” (Matthew 26:26) — Jesus takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to his disciples, saying it is his body, instituting the Lord's Supper.
• “He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.” (Matthew 26:39)” (Matthew 26:39) — In deep sorrow, Jesus prays that the cup may pass from him, yet submits to the Father's will, modeling perfect obedience.
• “Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” (Matthew 26:75) Then he went out and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:75) — Peter remembers Jesus' prediction after the rooster crows and weeps bitterly, showing the reality of his denial and his remorse.

Gospel connection

Matthew 26 stands at the hinge of the gospel story. Jesus interprets his coming death through the Passover and the new covenant, showing that his blood is poured out for many for the remission of sins. The betrayal by Judas, the false testimony, and the condemnation by the high priest all fulfill what the Scriptures had spoken. Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane reveals his willingness to drink the cup of suffering, and his refusal to call down angels shows his commitment to the Father's plan. Peter's denial, though grievous, is foretold and becomes a backdrop to the restoration that will come after the resurrection. This chapter connects the Old Testament promises of a suffering servant and a new covenant to the events of the cross, and it points forward to the kingdom where Jesus will drink the fruit of the vine anew with his disciples.

Application

This chapter invites readers to examine their own loyalty and weakness. Like the disciples, we may be quick to promise unwavering devotion, yet find ourselves failing under pressure. Peter's denial is a warning, but also a comfort, because Jesus had already prayed for him and predicted his fall, and later restored him. The woman's anointing challenges our calculations of waste and value: what seems extravagant to others may be a good work done for Jesus. Gethsemane calls us to watch and pray, recognizing that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. The Lord's Supper reminds us to receive Christ's body and blood by faith, trusting in the new covenant for the forgiveness of sins. Ultimately, we are asked to submit our will to the Father's, even when the cup is bitter, and to find our hope in the one who was betrayed, condemned, and denied for our sake.

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not tell us the name of the woman who anointed Jesus, nor does it explain how she obtained the ointment. It does not record the exact words of the false witnesses beyond the charge about destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days. It does not describe Jesus' physical appearance or the emotional state of Judas beyond his question and Jesus' reply. It does not say whether Peter was the only disciple who followed at a distance, though it names him. It does not give the outcome of Judas' betrayal or the details of his death. It does not explain how the disciples prepared the Passover or what happened to the servant whose ear was cut off. The text is silent on the thoughts of the chief priests after the condemnation, and it does not describe the reaction of the crowd. It also does not state whether Jesus' prediction about going before them into Galilee was understood at the time.

Questions for study

1. Why does Jesus connect his coming death with the Passover, and how does that shape the meaning of the Lord's Supper?
2. What does the woman's anointing of Jesus reveal about her understanding of his coming death, and why does Jesus commend her?
3. How does Judas' question in verse 25 and Jesus' response show the fulfillment of prophecy and the tragedy of betrayal?
4. In Gethsemane, Jesus prays for the cup to pass but submits to the Father's will. What does this teach us about prayer and surrender?
5. Peter's denial is foretold and fulfilled. How does his experience encourage believers who have failed, and what hope does the chapter offer?

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Related studies: Matthew 1 Bible Study, Matthew 10 Bible Study, Matthew 12 Bible Study, Matthew 13 Bible Study.

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FAQ

What is the significance of the thirty pieces of silver?

The thirty pieces of silver was the price agreed upon for Judas to betray Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah and showing the low value placed on the Messiah.

Why did Jesus institute the Lord's Supper at the Passover meal?

Jesus used the Passover elements of bread and wine to symbolize his body and blood, establishing the new covenant and pointing to his sacrificial death for the remission of sins.

What does Peter's denial teach us about human weakness and divine grace?

Peter's denial shows that even the most devoted can fall under pressure, but Jesus had foretold it and later restored him, demonstrating that failure is not final for those who repent.