Matthew 26, Part Two

Jesus predicts Peter’s denial (vs. 31-35)—Peter, of course, denies that he will deny Jesus, but the Lord says he will do it three times before the “cock-crowing.” Mark and Luke say the denial will take place before the rooster crowed twice, which according to custom was at midnight and then about dawn. The last instance was known as the “cock-crowing,” and that’s the one Mark and Luke mention and Matthew intends. Jesus actually says that all of the disciples “will be made to stumble because of Me this night” (v. 31), and that event is the fulfillment of prophecy (Zechariah 13:7).

Jesus prays in Gethsemane (vs. 36-46)—Gethsemane was a beautiful garden just outside of Jerusalem. Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and then went off aways to pray. Three times the Lord prayed, in effect, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (vs. 39, 42, 44); the wording was a little different each time. The apostles, clueless as always as to what was going on, fell asleep while Jesus was praying. He mildly rebukes them, but no doubt is resigned now to His fate. It would have been nice if His friends had stood with Him, but He died alone and He knew it was going to happen.

Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss (vs. 47-56)—The mob arrived, “a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people” (v. 47), just a bunch of rabble, no doubt, either stirred up or paid off by the religious leaders. For those who might not have known Jesus by sight, Judas said, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him" (v. 48). Jesus doesn’t resist. Peter does. He grabs a sword and chops off the right ear of a servant of the high priest named Malchus. Matthew doesn’t give us all of that information, but by reading the accounts in Mark, Luke, and John we get the full account. Jesus makes famous statement, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (v. 52). He didn’t really need Peter’s help: “Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (v. 53). He had to die, that’s what He came to this earth for. But despite repeated declarations of that over the past several months, His disciples still did not understand. Peter was at least willing to fight at the moment; no doubt, his confusion over the Lord’s attitude will help lead to his denial in a few hours.

The trial before the high priest, Caiaphas (vs. 57-68)—Jesus actually was to undergo six trials before the night was over. Matthew doesn't mention the first one, before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiphas (John 18 discusses this trial). The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, is the one who had to condemn Jesus to death; the Jews didn’t have that authority, so in this first trial, they are trying to find some reason to accuse Him before Pilate. Even though blasphemy is the charge of which “He is deserving of death” (v. 66), they will eventually charge Jesus of claiming to be a king. That could be serious, because, of course, only Caesar (in this case Tiberius) could be "king." But to the Jews, blasphemy was a serious enough crime to deserve capital punishment.

Peter’s denials (vs. 69-75)—Peter had followed Jesus “at a distance to the high priest's courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end” (v. 58). Yet, just as Jesus had predicted, Peter is confronted three times with his association with the Lord, and rebuffs the idea each time. On the last denial, Luke tells us, “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter” (Luke 22:61). Can you imagine how Peter felt? It is no wonder that “he went out and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75).