1The chief priests and scribes conspire against Christ: 3Judas covenanteth to betray him. 7The apostles sent to prepare the passover: Christ eateth it with them; 19and instituteth his last supper: 21he covertly pointeth out the traitor: 24checketh the ambitious strife of his disciples, and promiseth them a share in his kingdom: 31he telleth Peter of Satan's desire to sift him; 35he adviseth his disciples to provide necessaries and a sword: 39his agony and prayer in the garden: 47he is betrayed; 50healeth a servant of the high priest, whose ear was cut off; 54is led to the high priest's house; Peter thrice denieth him. 63Christ is scornfully used; 66and brought before the council, where confessing himself to be the Son of God, he is pronounced guilty of blasphemy.
1NOW thea1feast of unleavened bread drew 2nigh, which is called the Passover.
a Exod. 12:15; Mat. 26:2; Mark 14:1.
1 Of this feast see Exod. 12:14, etc.; 23:14, etc.
2 Namely, two days after, Mat. 26:2.
2Andb the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
b Psalm 2:2; John 11:47; Acts 4:27.
3¶Thenc3entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
c Mat. 26:14; Mark 14:10; John 13:27.
3 Not bodily, but by his stronger suggestion and instigation. See John 13:2, 27.
4And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and 4captains, how he might betray him unto them.
4 That is, the commanders of the soldiers who kept the outside of the temple. See verse 52. Acts 4:1; 5:24, 26.
5And they were glad, and covenanted to give him 5money.
5 Namely, thirty silverlings, Mat. 26 on verse 15. Understand: when he would have delivered Him over unto them.
6And he promised, and sought 6opportunity to betray him unto them 7in the absence of the multitude.
6 Or, suitable time.
7 Or, without the multitude, that is, in the absence of the multitude which commonly followed Him.
7¶Thend came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover 8must be killed.
d Mat. 26:17; Mark 14:12, 13.
8 Namely, according to the law on the 14th day of the first month, Exod. 12:6, 18, which day Christ has observed, but the Jews put it off unto the day following for the reason noted in Mat. 26 on verse 20.
8And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
9And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
10And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the 9city, there shall a man meet you, bearing 10a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
9 Namely, Jerusalem, where the passover was only to be killed and eaten. See Deut. 16:5, 6, 7.
10 Or, an earthen vessel.
11And ye shall say unto the 11goodman of the house, The Master 12saith unto thee, Where is the 13guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
11 Gr. lord of the house.
12 That is, causes to be said to thee.
13 Gr. lodging-place, inn.
12And he shall shew you a large upper room 14furnished: there make ready.
14 Gr. spread, that is, prepared with tables and with couches on which reclining they used in former times to eat.
13And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
14Ande when the 15hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
e Mat. 26:20; Mark 14:17.
15 Namely, on which the paschal lamb was to be eaten, on the fourteenth day of the first month, after sunset. See Exod. 12:6; Deut. 16:6.
15And he said unto them, 16With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16 Gr. with desire desired. An Hebrew phrase.
16For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until 17it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17 Namely, that which was represented by the passover, after which time we keep the spiritual passover with Christ, 1 Cor. 5:7.
17And he took 18the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18 This first cup seems to have been given by Christ for a conclusion of the passover, after the custom of the Jews, whereupon the institution of the Holy Supper immediately followed, in which, after the distribution of the bread, the cup was also distributed. See verses 19, 20; 1 Cor. 11:25.
18For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19¶Andf he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, 19This is my body which is 20given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
f Mat. 26:26; Mark 14:22; 1 Cor. 11:23, 24.
19 The exposition hereof, see Mat. 26 on verse 26.
20 Or, delivered, namely, unto death.
20Likewise also the cup after 21supper, saying, 22This cup 23is the new 24testament in my blood, which 25is shed for you.
21 Or, evening meal.
22 That is, this wine in the cup.
23 Thus Paul joins the word is thereto, 1 Cor. 11:25.
24 That is, a sign and seal of the New Testament or covenant, which is confirmed by the shedding of blood of Jesus Christ, Heb. 9:15, 16, 17.
25 That is, shall be, namely, on the cross.
21¶But,g behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
g Mat. 26:23; Mark 14:18; John 13:21.
22And truly the Son of man goeth, ash it was 26determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is 27betrayed!
h Psalm 41:9; John 13:18; Acts 1:16.
26 Or, concluded, namely, by the counsel and Providence of God, Acts 2:23, 4:28.
27 Or, delivered over.
23And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
24¶And there was also a 28strife among them, which of them 29should be accounted the greatest.
28 Or, contention, which seems to have risen, by reason that, verse 18, Christ had spoken of the setting up of His Kingdom.
29 Or, would be esteemed to be.
25And he said unto them, Thei kings 30of the Gentiles 31exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called 32benefactors.
i Mat. 20:25; Mark 10:42.
30 Or, of the nations.
31 That is, have and exercise worldly power, which is here forbidden the ministers of the church, 1 Peter 5:3.
32 Or, as we now speak, gracious lords, that is, great titles are ascribed to them.
26Butj ye shall not be so: butk he that is 33greatest among you, let him be as the 34younger; and he that is 35chief, as he that doth serve.
j 1 Peter 5:3.
k Luke 9:48.
33 That is, he who will be most esteemed among you. See Mat. 20:26.
34 Or, the least, that is, is the youngest or last or least esteemed. For, young persons, by reason of their youth, commonly have less respect than the old.
35 That is, lord, or master.
27For whether is greater, he that 36sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? butl I am among you as he that serveth.
36 Namely, at the table.
l Mat. 20:28; John 13:14; Philip. 2:7.
28Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
29Andm I 37appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
m Luke 12:32.
37 That is, dispose, appoint or bequeath, as by testament, Heb. 9:17.
30That ye may 38eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sitn on thrones 39judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
38 That is, have communion in My joy and glory, as here you have in My suffering and contempt, Rom. 8:7; 2 Tim. 2:11, 12.
n Mat. 19:28; Rev. 3:21.
39 See hereof, Mat. 19:28.
31¶And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satano hath 40desired to have you, that he may 41sift you as wheat:
o 1 Peter 5:8.
40 Or, claimed, or, greatly sought.
41 That is, to throw or shake you this way and that way, as the corn when it is winnowed or sifted, without suffering you to have any rest, with one temptation upon another, 1 Peter 5:8.
32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith 42fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
42 Or, cease not, that is, wholly perish, or be extinguished by the temptation of Satan who shall pursue thee. Thus He prays for all believers, John 17:20; Rom. 8:34.
33And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
34And he said, Ip tell thee, Peter, 43the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
p Mat. 26:34; Mark 14:30; John 13:38.
43 See hereof, Mark 14 on verse 30.
35And he said unto them, Whenq I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
q Mat. 10:9; Mark 6:8; Luke 9:3.
36Then said he unto them, 44But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath 45no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
44 That is, from henceforth and hereafter, when I shall send you forth a second time, such troubles shall pursue you, that you must prepare yourselves to suffer much want, and to undergo many dangers in the administration of your office.
45 Or, he that hath no purse, or scrip, let him sell, etc. By which similitude Christ admonishes the apostles that, as in a violent incursion and distress of enemies, everyone is busy to provide himself of swords and other weapons to resist the enemy; so they, in the grievous times of persecution that are at hand, must provide themselves of spiritual weapons, thereby to make strong resistance. See 2 Cor. 10:4; Eph. 6:12; 1 Tim. 1:18, which the apostles then understood only of outward weapons, as appears out of verse 38.
37For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, Andr he was reckoned among 46the transgressors: for the things concerning me 47have an end.
r Isa. 53:12; Mark 15:28.
46 Gr. the wicked.
47 That is, come towards the end, to be speedily fulfilled.
38And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, 48It is enough.
48 Namely, spoken of the thing itself, shall quickly show of what swords I speak, John 18:36.
39¶Ands he came out, and went, 49as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
s Mat. 26:36; Mark 14:32; John 8:1; 18:1.
49 Gr. according to custom.
40And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41Andt50he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
t Mat. 26:39; Mark 14:35.
50 Gr. He was plucked away from them.
42Saying, Father, 51if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, butu thine, be done.
51 Other, if thou wilt take away this cup from me. Of this prayer of Christ, see Mat. 26 on verse 39.
u John 6:38.
43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44Andv being in an 52agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were 53great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
v John 12:27; Heb. 5:7.
52 Or, great anguish, distress, as is properly said of the perplexity which one has before the conflict begins, which was here in Christ, not so much because of the approaching bodily death, but by reason of the burden of God’s wrath against the sins of men which He bore, Gal. 3:13; Heb. 5:7, 8, 9.
53 The Greek word properly signifies drops of congealed blood, but is also taken for great thick drops.
45And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
47¶Andw while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus 54to kiss him.
w Mat. 26:47; Mark 14:43; John 18:3.
54 Namely, according to the sign which he had given them previously, Mat. 26:48.
48But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
49When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50¶Andx55one of them smote 56the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
x Mat. 26:51; Mark 14:47.
55 Namely, Peter.
56 Named Malchus, John 18:10.
51And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
52Theny Jesus said 57unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a 58thief, with swords and 59staves?
y Mat. 26:55; Mark 14:48.
57 Namely to some of them, who were sent forth by the rest to carry on this work, Mat. 26:47.
58 Or, highway robber.
59 Gr. woods.
53When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and 60the power of darkness.
60 That is, the power that is given by God to the devil, who is called a prince of darkness, Eph. 6:12, and to his instruments over Me, Col. 1:13.
54¶Thenz took they him, and led him, and brought him into 61the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
z Mat. 26:57; Mark 14:53; John 18:12, 24.
61 Namely, first to Annas, and afterward to Caiaphas, John 18:13, 24.
55Andaa when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
aa Mat. 26:69; Mark 14:54, 66; John 18:16, 25.
56But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by 62the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
62 Gr. the light, that is, fire. See verse 55 and Mark 14:54.
57And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
58And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of 63them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
63 Namely, disciples of Jesus.
59And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is 64a Galilæan.
64 As appears by his speech, Mat. 26 on verse 73.
60And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock 65crew.
65 Namely, for the second time towards break of day. See Mark 14:72.
61And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Beforeab the cock 66crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
ab Mat. 26:34, 75; Mark 14:72; John 13:38; 18:27.
66 That is, shall have made an end of his crowing.
62And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
63¶Andac the men that held Jesus mocked him, andad smote him.
ac Mat. 26:67; Mark 14:65.
ad Job 16:10; Isa. 50:6; John 19:3.
64And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
65And many other things blasphemously 67spake they against him.
67 That is, speaking blasphemously of Him and unto Him.
66¶Andae as soon as it was day, 68the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes 69came together, and led him into their 70council, saying,
ae Psalm 2:2; Mat. 27:1; Mark 15:1; John 18:28.
68 Gr. the eldership.
69 Namely, the second time, to examine Him further, and deliver Him over to Pilate. Of the first assembly, see Mat. 26:57.
70 Gr. synedrion, whereof see Mat. 5:22.
6771Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
71 Or, if Thou art the Christ, tell us.
68And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
6972Hereafteraf shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
72 Namely, after that He, being put to death, shall rise again from the dead and ascend into heaven.
af Dan. 7:9; Mat. 16:27; 24:30; 25:31; 26:64; Mark 14:62; Acts 1:11; 1 Thes. 1:10; Rev. 1:7.
70Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, 73Ye say that I am.
73 Or, Ye say it, for I am so. See of this phrase Mat. 26:25.
71And they said, Whatag need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.
ag Why*