1The chief priests and scribes conspire against Christ. 3A woman poureth precious ointment on his head. 10Judas covenanteth to betray him. 12Christ eateth the passover, and sheweth that one of his disciples should betray him: 22he instituteth his last supper: 26foretelleth the desertion of all his disciples, and Peter's denial of him: 32his agony and prayer in the garden. 43He is betrayed by Judas, and seized: his disciples flee: 53he is carried before the council, falsely accused, examined, pronounced guilty, and treated with indignity. 66Peter's denial, and repentance.
1AFTER two days was the feast of thea1passover, and of 2unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.
a Mat. 26:2; Luke 22:1; John 11:55; 13:1.
1 See hereof, Mat. 26 on verse 2.
2 The feast of the passover is called as such, because on that feast no leavened bread was permitted to be eaten for seven days together. See Exod. 12:15; Lev. 23:6.
2But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar 3of the people.
3 Or, among the people. Gr. of the people.
3¶Andb being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came 4a woman having an alabaster box of 5ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
b Mat. 26:6; Luke 7:37; John 11:2; 12:3.
4 Namely, Mary, the sister of Lazarus. See John 12:3.
5 Gr. pistike, that is, faithful, or upright. Yet some translate it flowing, or potable, because it used to be also mingled with a drink. Other: ointment of unadulterated nardus. See John 12:3.
4And there were 6some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
6 Of whom Judas, the betrayer, was the leading person. See John 12:4.
5For it might have been sold for more than three hundred 7pence, and have been given to the poor. And they 8murmured against her.
7 Gr. denarii. The value whereof is declared in Mat. 18 on verse 28, so that this sum would amount to about ninety guilders.
8 Or, grumbled with anger.
6And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7Forc ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
c Deut. 15:11.
8She hath done 9what she could: she is come aforehand to 10anoint my body to the burying.
9 Gr. what she had.
10 Or, embalm, as the custom was to embalm the bodies of eminent persons with precious ointment made of spices before they were buried, to preserve them from putrefaction. See Gen. 50:26.
9Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever 11this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
11 Namely, which I have hitherto taught and proclaimed.
10¶Andd Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
d Mat. 26:14; Luke 22:4.
11And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him 12money. And he sought how he might 13conveniently betray him.
12 Gr. silver, namely, thirty silver pence, as Mat. 26:15.
13 Gr. at a convenient time, that is, with good opportunity.
12¶Ande the first day of unleavenedf bread, 14when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat 15the passover?
e Mat. 26:17; Luke 22:7.
f Exod. 12:17.
14 That is, they were to sacrifice it according to God’s law, as Luke 22:7 states. For, the Jews, at this time, sacrificed it the day after, and the reason for this is given in the annotation at Mat. 26 on verse 20.
15 That is, the passover lamb. A sacramental manner of speaking.
13And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the 16city, and there shall meet you a man bearing 17a pitcher of water: follow him.
16 Namely, Jerusalem, where the passover was to be sacrificed and eaten, Deut. 16:5.
17 Or, an earthen vessel.
14And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the 18goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the 19guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
18 That is, the father of the house.
19 Gr. relaxation, that is, the chamber where the guests are received.
15And he will shew you a large upper room 20furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
20 Gr. spread, prepared floor, strewed.
16And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
17Andg in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
g Mat. 26:20; Luke 22:14.
18And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, Oneh of you which eateth with me shall betray me.
h Psalm 41:9; Acts 1:17.
19And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him 21one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
21 Gr. one after one.
20And he answered and said unto them, 22It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
22 See Mat. 26:23.
21The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
22¶Andi as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: 23this is my body.
i Mat. 26:26; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:23.
23 Of these words of the institution of the Lord’s Supper, see the annotations at Mat. 26 on verse 26, and the following verses.
23And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and 24they all drank of it.
24 Namely, as Christ had commanded them, Mat. 26:27.
24And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
25Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
26¶And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
27Andj Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because 25of me this night: for it is written, Ik will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
j Mat. 26:31; John 16:32.
25 That is, your faith will be shaken by that which shall befall Me.
k Zech. 13:7.
28Butl after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
l Mat. 26:32; 28:10; Mark 16:7.
29But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will 26not I.
26 Namely, at Thee, as is expressed in Mat. 26:33.
30Andm Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow 27twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
m Mat. 26:34; Luke 22:34; John 13:38.
27 The other evangelists say simply: before the cock crow, or shall have crowed, but Mark says twice, because they commonly use to crow at two different times, once after midnight, and once towards day, which both times are here to be understood.
31Butn he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.
n John 13:37.
32Ando they came to a 28place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
o Mat. 26:36; Luke 22:39; John 18:1.
28 Or, row of houses, or homesteads. See Mat. 26:36.
33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed,p and to be very heavy;
p terrified, fearful*
34And saith unto them, Myq soul is 29exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
q John 12:27.
29 Or, on all sides.
35Andr he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, 30the hour might pass from him.
r Luke 22:41.
30 Namely, of this grievous suffering now at hand. Of this complete prayer see the annotations at Mat. 26 on verse 39.
36And he said, 31Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: neverthelesss not what I will, but what thou wilt.
31 This is a Syriac word and signifies Father; which word Father the evangelist adds likewise, not only by way of explanation, but to set forth by this repetition the exceeding great earnestness of Christ in this prayer. See hereof Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6.
s John 6:38.
37Andt he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
t Mat. 26:40; Luke 22:45.
38Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Theu spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
u Gal. 5:17.
39And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same 32words.
32 Gr. word, or speech.
40And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
41And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, 33Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands 34of sinners.
33 See Mat. 26:45.
34 That is, of the Gentiles; as Mat. 20:19.
42Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.
43¶Andv immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and 35staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
v Mat. 26:47; Luke 22:47; John 18:3.
35 Gr. woods, that is, spears or lances.
44And he that betrayed him had given them 36a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
36 That is, such a sign, or watchword, which they would well understand among themselves.
45And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissedw him.
w 2 Sam. 20:9.
46¶And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
47And 37one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
37 Namely, Simon Peter, as appears out of John 18:10.
48And Jesus answered and said unto them, 38Are ye come out, as against 39a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
38 These words He speaks actually to some of the chief priests and captains of the temple, who had brought these soldiers along with them, Luke 22:52.
39 Or, a highway robber.
49I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but 40the scripturesx must be fulfilled.
40 This Matthew relates in Mat. 26:56.
x Psalm 22:6; 69:9; Luke 24:25.
50Andy41they all forsook him, and fled.
y Job 19:13; Psalm 88:8.
41 Namely, His disciples.
51And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth 42cast about his naked body; and 43the young men laid hold on him:
42 Or, put about.
43 These seem to have been some young soldiers. This passage is related to show the fierceness of those who took Christ.
52And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
53¶Andz they led Jesus away to 44the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
z Mat. 26:57; Luke 22:54; John 18:13, 24.
44 Namely, Caiaphas. See Mat. 26:57; John 18:13.
54And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself 45at the fire.
45 Gr. by the light.
55Andaa the chief priests and all the 46council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
aa Mat. 26:59; Acts 6:13.
46 Gr. synedrion. See thereof Mat. 5:22.
56For many bare false witness against him, but their witness 47agreed not together.
47 That is, they were not unanimous.
57And there arose 48certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
48 In Mat. 26:61 it states of two, of whom the one spoke differently than the other, as also the evangelist do relate diversely their testimonies.
58We heard him say, Iab will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
ab Mark 15:29; John 2:19.
59But neither so did their witness agree together.
60Andac the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
ac Mat. 26:62.
61Butad he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
ad Isa. 53:7; Acts 8:32.
62And Jesus said, I am: andae ye shall see the Son of man sitting 49on the right hand of power, and coming 50in the clouds of heaven.
ae Dan. 7:13; Mat. 16:27; 24:30; 25:31; Luke 21:27; Acts 1:11; 1 Thes. 4:16; 2 Thes. 1:10; Rev. 1:7.
49 That is, at the powerful right hand of God.
50 That is, upon the clouds. Mat. 26:64. Or, with the clouds.
63Then the high priest rent his 51clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
51 Gr. coats.
64Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
65And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffetaf him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants 52did strike him with the palms of their hands.
af Job 16:10; Isa. 50:6; John 19:3.
52 Or, smote Him with sticks or rods.
66¶Andag as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
ag Mat. 26:58, 69; Luke 22:55; John 18:16, 17.
67And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast 53with Jesus of Nazareth.
53 Namely, as one of His disciples.
68But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the 54porch; and the cock 55crew.
54 Or, fore-house.
55 Namely, for the first time, as appears in verse 72.
69Andah a maid saw him 56again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
ah Mat. 26:71; Luke 22:58; John 18:25.
56 About an hour after. See Luke 22:59.
70And he denied it again. And a little after, 57they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech 58agreeth thereto.
57 Namely, a servant of the high priest, and kin to him whose ear Peter had cut off. See John 18:26.
58 That is, their speech is like to their own.
71But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Beforeai the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he 59thought thereon, he wept.
ai Mat. 26:34, 75; Luke 22:61; John 13:38; 18:27.
59 Gr. casting, namely, himself in, or through, or among, namely the people. Or, beginning, bursting out, namely, into weeping.