Matthew 26: History's Greatest Drama

We explore Matthew chapter 26, one of the most dramatic narratives in the Bible that depicts the pivotal events leading to Jesus' crucifixion. This powerful chapter captures betrayal, intrigue, lies, and vicious attacks against Jesus who, with utmost humility, willingly embraces it all as God's will.

• The religious leaders plotting to arrest and kill Jesus
• A woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, preparing him for burial
• Judas agreeing to betray Jesus for thirty silver coins
• Jesus sharing the Last Supper with his disciples, instituting communion
• Jesus predicting Peter's denial despite his protests of loyalty
• Jesus praying in anguish at Gethsemane while disciples sleep
• Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss, leading to his arrest
• Jesus standing trial before the high priest and facing false accusations
• Peter denying Jesus three times before weeping bitterly

Jesus forgave those who executed him because they didn't know what they were doing, but what about us who do know him? We're called to examine whether we're truly willing to follow Jesus even to the point of death or if we'll abandon him in times of need. Let's pray that he helps us remain faithful, unlike the disciples who failed him when it mattered most.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Matthew 26
• 1:39 The Anointing at Bethany
• 3:21 Judas' Betrayal and Last Supper
• 6:00 Gethsemane Prayer and Arrest
• 9:51 Trial Before Caiaphas
• 11:43 Peter's Denial and Reflection

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:12

Welcome back to the Outloud Bible Project Podcast. This is Mike and we are in the book of Matthew. Today we're only going to be reading one chapter, matthew, chapter 26. Just one chapter, partly because it's a fairly long chapter and can stand on its own, but also because it is one of the most dramatic chapters in all the Bible. I think it's even one of the most dramatic narratives in history, where we see the events that lead up to the death of Jesus Christ. This is the pivotal moment in all of history and it is a dramatic ride to get there. We see betrayal, we see intrigue, we see lies, we see just vicious attacks and we see a main character of utmost humility who willingly walks through it all because that's the way it has to be, that's the will of God. I don't think I have to sell you on the significance of these events, so I'm just going to jump into chapter 26 here and I'll underscore it with a little bit of dramatic music, because well I can. Here's Matthew, chapter 26, in the New English Translation.

Speaker 1: 1:28

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he told his disciples you know that after two days the Passover is coming and the Son of man will met together in the palace of the high priest who was named Caiaphas. They planned to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him, but they said not during the feast, so that there won't be a riot among the people. Now, while Jesus was in Bethany, at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfumed oil and she poured it on his head as he was at the table. When the disciples saw this, they became indignant and said why this waste? It could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor. When Jesus learned of this, he said to them why are you bothering this woman? She has done a good service for me, for you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this oil on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her. Then one of the 12, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said what will you give me to portray him into your hands? So they set out 30 silver coins for him.

Speaker 1: 3:16

From that time on, judas began looking for an opportunity to betray him. Now, on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said when do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover? He said Go into the city to a certain man and tell him. The teacher says my time is near. I will observe the Passover.

Speaker 1: 3:50

When it was evening, he took his place at the table with the twelve and while they were eating, he said, they became greatly distressed and each one began to say to him Well, surely not I, lord. He answered him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed. It'd be better for him if he had not been born. Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said Surely not I, rabbi. Jesus replied You've said it yourself. While they were eating, jesus took bread and, after giving thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said Take, eat, this is my body. And after taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying Drink from it all of you, for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant that is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, from now on, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

Speaker 1: 5:23

After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them this night you'll all fall away because of me. For it's written, I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. Flock will be scattered, but after I'm raised I will go ahead of you into Galilee. And Peter said to him if they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away. Jesus said to him. I tell you the truth on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times. Peter said to him even if I must die with you, I'll never deny you. And all the disciples said the same thing.

Speaker 1: 6:13

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. He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and became anguished and distressed. Then he said to them my soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here, stay awake with me. Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed my father, if possible, let this cup pass from me. Not what I will, but what you will, what you will. And then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter so couldn't you stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away a second time and prayed my father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done. He came again and found them sleeping. They could not keep their eyes open, so, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same thing once more. And 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. Get up, let's go. Look, my betrayer's approaching.

Speaker 1: 8:14

While he was speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived and with him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs sent by the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a saying the one I kiss is the man. Arrest him. And immediately he went up to Jesus and said greetings, rabbi. And kissed him. Jesus said to him friend, do what you're here to do. Jesus said to him Friend, do what you're here to do. Then they came and took hold of Jesus and arrested him. No-transcript for all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. Or do you think that I can't call on my father and that he would send me more than twelve legions of angels right now? How, then, would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled? At that moment, jesus said to the crowd have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me, like you would an outlaw? Day after day, I sat teaching in the temple courts, yet you clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw. Day after day, I sat teaching in the temple courts, yet you didn't arrest me. But this has happened so that the scriptures of the prophets will be fulfilled. And then all the disciples left him and fled.

Speaker 1: 9:40

Now the ones who had arrested Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, in whose house the experts of the law and the elders had gathered, but Peter was following him from a distance all the way to the high priest's courtyard. After going in, he sat with the guards to see the outcome. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were trying to find false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they didn't find anything, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two came forward and declared this man said I'm able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. So the high priest stood up and said to him have you no answer? What is this that they are testifying against you? But Jesus was silent. The high priest said to him I charge you under oath by the living God. Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said to him you've said it yourself, but I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the power and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest tore his clothes and declared he's blasphemed. Why do we still need witnesses Now? You've heard the blasphemy. What's your verdict? They answered he's guilty and deserves death. Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists, and some slapped him saying Prophesy for us. You, christ, who hit you?

Speaker 1: 11:30

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard and a slave girl came to him and said you also were with Jesus the Galilean. But he denied it in front of them all. I don't know what you're talking about. When he went out to the gateway, another slave girl saw him and said to the people there this man was with Jesus the Nazarene. He denied it again with an oath. I don't know the man. After a little while, those standing there came up to Peter and said you really are one of them too. Even your accent gives you away. At that he began to curse and he swore with an oath. I don't know the man. At that moment a rooster crowed and then Peter remembered what Jesus had said. And then Peter remembered what Jesus had said Before the rooster crows. You will deny me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly In one of his final breaths on the cross where he would die.

Speaker 1: 12:46

Jesus prayed that God would forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing. And he's praying for the Romans and the Jews who have been plotting to kill him and carrying out his execution. They didn't know who he was, they didn't accept it. But what about the people who did know who he was? What about the people who did accept him? And yet they abandoned him in his time of need. They fell asleep when he just asked them to stay awake and pray. They betrayed him to the authorities and they denied they even knew him. They betrayed him to the authorities and they denied they even knew him. These men knew what they did. What about you? You know Jesus, you follow him. Are you willing to follow him, even to the point of death? It's one thing to say it, it's another thing to do it. The best we can do now is pray that he helps us be faithful. The world doesn't know what they're doing. We can and we do. No-transcript.