Bible Commentaries
Matthew 26

Verse 7

head

No contradiction of John 12:3 is implied. The ordinary anointing of hospitality and honour was of the feet Luke 7:38 and head Luke 7:46 But Mary of Bethany, who alone of our Lord's disciples had comprehended His thrice repeated announcement of His coming death and resurrection, invested the anointing with the deeper meaning of the preparation of His body for burying. Mary of Bethany was not among the women who went to the sepulchre with intent to embalm the body of Jesus.

woman i.e. Mary of Bethany.

Verse 12

for my

Supply to prepare me.

Verse 20

sat down with the twelve

The order of events on the night of the Passover supper appears to have been:

(1) The taking by our Lord and the disciples of their places at the table;

(2) the contention who should be greatest;

(3) the feet washing;

(4) the identification Judas as the traitor;

(5) the withdrawal of Judas;

(6) the institution of the supper;

(7) the words of Jesus while still in the room Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:35-38; John 13:3-35; Matthew 14:1-31

(8) the words of Jesus between the room and the garden Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:26-31; John 15:16; John 15:17 it seems probable that the high-priestly prayer John 17:1-26 was uttered after they reached the garden;

(9) the agony in the garden;

(10) the betrayal and arrest;

(11) Jesus before Caiaphas; Peter's denial.

Verse 28

remission

Forgiveness. Summary: The Greek word translated "remission" in Matthew 26:28; Acts 10:43; Hebrews 9:22 is elsewhere rendered "forgiveness." It means, to send off, or away. And this, throughout Scripture, is the one fundamental meaning of forgiveness--to separate the sin from the sinner. Distinction must be made between divine and human forgiveness:

(1) Human forgiveness means the remission of penalty. In the Old Testament and the New, in type and fulfilment, the divine forgiveness follows the execution of the penalty. "The priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he had committed, and it shall be forgiven him" Leviticus 4:35.

"This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission sending away, forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 25:28). "Without shedding of blood there is no remission" Hebrews 9:22.

See "Sacrifice" (See Scofield "Hebrews 9:22- :") ; Genesis 4:4 See Scofield "Genesis 4:4- :". The sin of the justified believer interrupts his fellowship, and is forgiven upon confession, but always on the ground of Christ's propitiating sacrifice ; 1 John 1:6-9; 1 John 2:2.

(2) Human forgiveness rests upon and results from the divine forgiveness. In many passages this is assumed rather than stated, but the principle is declared in Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 18:32; Matthew 18:33.

sins Sin.

(See Scofield "Matthew 18:33- :") .

Verse 29

kingdom

(See Scofield " :-") .

Verse 39

cup

The "cup" must be interpreted by our Lord's own use of that symbol in speaking of His approaching sacrificial death Matthew 20:22; John 18:11. In view of John 10:17; John 10:18 He could have been in no fear of an unwilling death. The value of the account of the agony in the Garden is in the evidence it affords that He knew fully what the agony of the cross would mean when His soul was made an offering for sin, Isaiah 53:10; Isaiah 53:10 in the hiding of the Father's face. Knowing the cost to the utmost, he voluntarily paid it.

Verse 45

sinners

Sin. (See Scofield " :-") .

Verse 50

Friend

Gr. "Hetaire," "comrade." Perhaps the most touching thing in the Bible. The Lord does not disown Judas.

Verse 53

angels

(See Scofield " :-") .

Verse 57

led

A comparison of the narratives gives the following order of events in the crucifixion day:

(1) Early in the morning Jesus is brought before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. He is condemned and mocked Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:55-65; Luke 22:63-71; John 18:19-24.

(2) The Sanhedrin lead Jesus to Pilate, Matthew 27:1; Matthew 27:2; Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38.

(3) Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Luke 23:6-12; John 19:4.

(4) Jesus is again brought before Pilate, who releases Barabbas and delivers Jesus to be crucified Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39; John 18:40; John 19:4-16.

(5) Jesus is crowned with thorns and mocked Matthew 27:26-30; Mark 15:15-20; John 19:1-3.

(6) Suicide of Judas Matthew 27:3-10.

(7) Led forth to be crucified, the cross is laid upon Simon: Jesus discourses to the women Matthew 27:31; Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:20-23; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:16; John 19:17.

For the order of events at the crucifixion (See Scofield "John 19:17- :")

Verse 71

maid Peter's denial

Cf Matthew 26:69; Mark 14:69; Luke 22:58; John 18:25 A discrepancy has been imagined in these accounts. Let it be remembered that an excited crowd had gathered, and that Peter was interrogated in two places: "With the servants" Matthew 26:58 where the first charge was made Matthew 26:69; Matthew 26:69 "the porch" where a great number of people would be gathered, and where the second and third interrogations were made by "another maid" and by the crowd, i.e. "they" ; Matthew 26:71; Matthew 26:73; John 18:25