Matthew 26:36-75

Matthew 26:36-75 – The Betrayal

This passage is as follows:

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

(End of Passage)

In the previous section (verses 1-36 of chapter 26), Matthew recounts several times that Jesus alludes to or reminds his disciples of his death. One time, he even says, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” During the Passover celebration, Jesus says that one of them will betray him that very night. Judas had already taken a bribe from the chief priests to betray Jesus. The other disciples go into denial. They don’t want Jesus to die, but they don’t yet understand that this is God’s plan to give his gift of salvation. During the Passover meal, Jesus says about the broken bread, “This is my body.” Then about the wine, Jesus says, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus couldn’t have been more straightforward about his death and the reason for it, but the disciples are still in denial. Peter says, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Let’s see what happens immediately after that.

Verses 36-46,

Now, which disciples did Jesus take with him to pray?

It says Peter and the two sons of Zebedee. So, we are talking about Peter, James and John.

How many times did Jesus pray the same prayer?

Three times.

What happened each time that Jesus prayed?

The disciples fell asleep.

What does Matthew record of Jesus’ prayer?

“My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

Did any of the Disciples do better at staying awake?

Yes, John records a whole chapter of this prayer.

What is the significance of Jesus saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done?”

Jesus knew for certain that he would be flogged and crucified.
Jesus knew that his death was not going to be a pleasant experience.His soul was sorrowful, even to death.Luke 22:44 records that his sweat was like blood.
Jesus knew that his crucifixion was God’s plan.
Jesus submitted to God’s entire plan.

What is significant about what Jesus says when he catches the disciples sleeping?

“So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

First, Jesus acknowledges that they are willing, but that the flesh is weak.

Second, Jesus wants them to pray so they will not enter into temptation. Jesus wants them to be careful about what is going to happen when Jesus is betrayed. They should be praying that they will not betray or deny Jesus. Perhaps they could have been tempted to do something else wrong as well, such as lead an armed rebellion, or cut off someone’s ear.

What does Jesus say the third time he finds his disciples sleeping?

“Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

What do you think is going to happen next?

Verses 47-56,

So, Jesus is saying, “My betrayer is at hand,” and who shows up? Judas. And what does Juda have with him? A great crowd with swords and clubs, and it is not just any crowd. They are from the chief priests and elders. Even the servant of the high priest is there. So, Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, and they come up and lay their hands on Jesus to arrest him. Someone with Jesus grabs his sword and cuts off the ear of the High Priest’s servant. Do you think that he was aiming to cut off his ear? He probably wasn’t even striking down with the sword. Most likely the servant of the High Priest was wearing a helmet that covered his ears. In order to have his ear cut off, the sword would have had to come underneath the helmet. This means that the sword was swung aiming to cut his head off, and he would have ducked and moved his head away from the sword. Then the sword would have caught his ear from underneath.

How does Jesus respond to the one that cut off the servant’s ear?

“Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”

What is the significance of this?

Even when he is arrested, Jesus was not in favor of living by the sword.The way that Jesus taught was a way of peace.
Jesus could have summoned 12 legions of angels if he wanted.These events are happening because of God’s plan.
The Scriptures said that this must be so.

What scriptures prophesied that Jesus must be betrayed?

Zechariah 11:12-13,

Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord, to the potter.”

Psalm 41:9,

“Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.”

Psalm 55:12-13,

“For it is not an enemy who taunts me—

then I could bear it;

it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—

then I could hide from him.

But it is you, a man, my equal,

my companion, my familiar friend.”

What Scriptures prophesied that Jesus must be crucified?

Isaiah chapter 53,

“Who has believed what he has heard from us?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a young plant,

and like a root out of dry ground;

he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;

and as one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away;

and as for his generation, who considered

that he was cut off out of the land of the living,

stricken for the transgression of my people?

And they made his grave with the wicked

and with a rich man in his death,

although he had done no violence,

and there was no deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;

he has put him to grief;

when his soul makes an offering for guilt,

he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;

the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,

make many to be accounted righteous,

and he shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,

and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,

because he poured out his soul to death

and was numbered with the transgressors;

yet he bore the sin of many,

and makes intercession for the transgressors."

Psalm 22,

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

and by night, but I find no rest.

Yet you are holy,

enthroned on the praises of Israel.

In you our fathers trusted;

they trusted, and you delivered them.

To you they cried and were rescued;

in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

But I am a worm and not a man,

scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

All who see me mock me;

they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

“He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;

let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

Yet you are he who took me from the womb;

you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.

On you was I cast from my birth,

and from my mother's womb you have been my God.

Be not far from me,

for trouble is near,

and there is none to help.

Many bulls encompass me;

strong bulls of Bashan surround me;

they open wide their mouths at me,

like a ravening and roaring lion.

I am poured out like water,

and all my bones are out of joint;

my heart is like wax;

it is melted within my breast;

my strength is dried up like a potsherd,

and my tongue sticks to my jaws;

you lay me in the dust of death.

For dogs encompass me;

a company of evildoers encircles me;

they have pierced my hands and feet—

I can count all my bones—

they stare and gloat over me;

they divide my garments among them,

and for my clothing they cast lots.

But you, O Lord, do not be far off!

O you my help, come quickly to my aid!

Deliver my soul from the sword,

my precious life from the power of the dog!

Save me from the mouth of the lion!

You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

I will tell of your name to my brothers;

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

You who fear the Lord, praise him!

All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,

and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

For he has not despised or abhorred

the affliction of the afflicted,

and he has not hidden his face from him,

but has heard, when he cried to him.

From you comes my praise in the great congregation;

my vows I will perform before those who fear him.

The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;

those who seek him shall praise the Lord!

May your hearts live forever!

All the ends of the earth shall remember

and turn to the Lord,

and all the families of the nations

shall worship before you.

For kingship belongs to the Lord,

and he rules over the nations.

All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;

before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,

even the one who could not keep himself alive.

Posterity shall serve him;

it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;

they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,

that he has done it.”

How did Jesus respond to the crowds?

Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.”

What is significant about what Jesus said about this?

Back in Matthew 26:3-5, the chief priests plotted to arrest Jesus and kill him. But not during the feast, unless there be an uproar among the people. So, they wanted to arrest Jesus away from the crowds of people because they would have had a backlash or riot coming from the general population.

So, let’s see what happens next now that the chief priests have arrested Jesus.

Verses 57-68,

Now let’s compare how Jesus was treated by the Sanhedrin to how a Sanhedrin normally operated.

“Tannaitic sources describe the Great Sanhedrin as a religious assembly of 71 sages who met in the Chamber of Hewn Stones in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Great Sanhedrin met daily during the daytime, and did not meet on the Sabbath, festivals or festival eves. It was the final authority on Jewish law and any scholar who went against its decisions was put to death as a zaken mamre (rebellious elder). The Sanhedrin was led by a president called the nasi (lit. "prince") and a vice president called the av bet din (lit. "father of the court"). The other 69 sages sat in a semicircle facing the leaders. It is unclear whether the leaders included the high priest.

The Sanhedrin judged accused lawbreakers, but could not initiate arrests. It required a minimum of two witnesses to convict a suspect. There were no attorneys. Instead, the accusing witness stated the offense in the presence of the accused and the accused could call witnesses on his own behalf. The court questioned the accused, the accusers and the defense witnesses.

The Great Sanhedrin dealt with religious and ritualistic Temple matters, criminal matters appertaining to the secular court, proceedings in connection with the discovery of a corpse, trials of adulterous wives, tithes, preparation of Torah Scrolls for the king and the Temple, drawing up the calendar and the solving of difficulties relating to ritual law.

In about 30 C.E., the Great Sanhedrin lost its authority to inflict capital punishment.” (https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-sanhedrin)

So, contrary to how Sanhedrins normally ran, this Sanhedrin violate their own rules in the following ways:

They met at night.
They met on a festival day.
They initiated an arrest.
They did not allow defense witnesses. How could Jesus find defense witnesses at night and on such short notice?
They initiated a death penalty.

In addition to Matthew noting that they sought many false witnesses, there are several points here that show that they intended to railroad Jesus into a kangaroo court with a predetermined result – their death penalty. They were already soliciting for the false witnesses. They held the trial at night, making it impossible for Jesus to gather any witnesses to prove his claims. It would have been devastating to the chief priests’ case if Jesus brought in the man born blind and the man that picked up his mat and walked. This would have proven that Jesus was who he said he was.

And all the disciples fled. Or did they?

Verses 69-75,

Peter could have testified in Jesus’ favor. Instead, what was he doing? Denying Jesus and weeping bitterly. He did exactly what he said he wouldn’t do. Why did it all happen this way? In order that scripture to be fulfilled and for God’s plan of salvation to take effect.

God promised. He keeps his promises.

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