261 And when Jesus had come to the end of all these words, he said to his disciples, 2 After two days is the Passover, and the Son of man will be given up to the death of the cross. 3 Then the chief priests and the rulers of the people came together in the house of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas. 4 And they made designs together to take Jesus by some trick, and put him to death. 5 But they said, Not while the feast is going on, for fear of trouble among the people.
6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 There came to him a woman having a bottle of perfume of great price, and she put the perfume on his head when he was seated at table. 8 But when the disciples saw it they were angry, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For we might have got much money for this and given it to the poor. 10 But Jesus, seeing it, said to them, Why are you troubling the woman? she has done a kind act to me. 11 For the poor you have ever with you, but me you have not for ever. 12 For in putting this perfume on my body, she did it to make me ready for my last resting-place. 13 Truly I say to you, Wherever this good news goes out in all the world, what this woman has done will be talked of in memory of her.
14 Then one of the twelve, who was named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 15 What will you give me, if I give him up to you? And the price was fixed at thirty bits of silver. 16 And from that time he was watching for a chance to give him into their hands.
17 Now on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where are we to make ready for you to take the Passover meal? 18 And he said to them, Go into the town to such a man, and say to him, The Master says, My time is near: I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had said to them; and they made ready the Passover. 20 Now when evening was come, he was seated at table with the twelve disciples; 21 And while they were taking food, he said, Truly I say to you that one of you will be false to me. 22 And they were very said, and said to him, one by one, Is it I, Lord? 23 And he made answer and said, He who puts his hand into the plate with me, the same will be false to me. 24 The Son of man goes, even as the Writings say of him: but a curse is on that man through whom the Son of man is given up; it would have been well for that man if he had never come into the world. 25 And Judas, who was false to him, made answer and said, Is it I, Master? He says to him, Yes.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 26:1-25
Commentary on Matthew 26:1-5
(Read Matthew 26:1-5)
Our Lord had often told of his sufferings as at a distance, now he speaks of them as at hand. At the same time the Jewish council consulted how they might put him to death secretly. But it pleased God to defeat their intention. Jesus, the true paschal Lamb, was to be sacrificed for us at that very time, and his death and resurrection rendered public.
Commentary on Matthew 26:6-13
(Read Matthew 26:6-13)
The pouring ointment upon the head of Christ was a token of the highest respect. Where there is true love in the heart to Jesus Christ, nothing will be thought too good to bestow upon him. The more Christ's servants and their services are cavilled at, the more he manifests his acceptance. This act of faith and love was so remarkable, that it would be reported, as a memorial of Mary's faith and love, to all future ages, and in all places where the gospel should be preached. This prophecy is fulfilled.
Commentary on Matthew 26:14-16
(Read Matthew 26:14-16)
There were but twelve called apostles, and one of them was like a devil; surely we must never expect any society to be quite pure on this side heaven. The greater profession men make of religion, the greater opportunity they have of doing mischief, if their hearts be not right with God. Observe, that Christ's own disciple, who knew so well his doctrine and manner of his life, and was false to him, could not charge him with any thing criminal, though it would have served to justify his treachery. What did Judas want? Was not he welcome wherever his Master was? Did he not fare as Christ fared? It is not the lack, but the love of money, that is the root of all evil. After he had made that wicked bargain, Judas had time to repent, and to revoke it; but when lesser acts of dishonesty have hardened the conscience men do without hesitation that which is more shameful.
Commentary on Matthew 26:17-25
(Read Matthew 26:17-25)
Observe, the place for their eating the passover was pointed out by Christ to the disciples. He knows those hidden ones who favour his cause, and will graciously visit all who are willing to receive him. The disciples did as Jesus had appointed. Those who would have Christ's presence in the gospel passover, must do what he says. It well becomes the disciples of Christ always to be jealous over themselves, especially in trying times. We know not how strongly we may be tempted, nor how far God may leave us to ourselves, therefore we have reason not to be high-minded, but to fear. Heart-searching examination and fervent prayer are especially proper before the Lord's supper, that, as Christ our Passover is now sacrificed for us, we may keep this feast, renewing our repentance, our faith in his blood, and surrendering ourselves to his service.