Jesus Prepares for His Death

26:17 Now on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?" 26:18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near. I will observe the Passover with my disciples at your house."'" 26:19 So the disciples did as Jesus had instructed them, and they prepared the Passover. 26:20 When it was evening, he took his place at the table with the twelve. 26:21 And while they were eating he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." 26:22 They became greatly distressed and each one began to say to him, "Surely not I, Lord?" 26:23 He answered, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 26:24 The Son of Man will go as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born." 26:25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus replied, "You have said it yourself." 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat, this is my body." 26:27 And after taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, 26:28 for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, that is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 26:29 I tell you, from now on I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." 26:30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "This night you will all fall away because of me, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 26:32 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." 26:33 Peter said to him, "If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!" 26:34 Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." 26:35 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you." And all the disciples said the same thing. 26:36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 26:37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and became anguished and distressed. 26:38 Then he said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me." 26:39 Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will." 26:40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "So, couldn't you stay awake with me for one hour? 26:41 Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 26:42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done." 26:43 He came again and found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open. 26:44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same thing once more. 26:45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is approaching, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 26:46 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer is approaching!" 26:47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. 26:48 (Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him!") 26:49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi," and kissed him. 26:50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you are here to do." Then they came and took hold of Jesus and arrested him. 26:51 But one of those with Jesus grabbed his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest's slave, cutting off his ear. 26:52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. 26:53 Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legions of angels right now? 26:54 How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled?" 26:55 At that moment Jesus said to the crowd, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple courts, yet you did not arrest me. 26:56 But this has happened so that the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Jesus knowingly moves toward the cross at the Father’s appointed time. At the Passover meal, he explains that his death is his covenant blood poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. In Gethsemane and at his arrest, he shows obedient submission, not helpless defeat.

Jesus directs the Passover preparations and says, “My time is near.” He shows that he knows what is coming. He is not trapped by events. He is moving toward the hour the Father has appointed.

At the meal, Jesus warns that one of the twelve will betray him. The disciples are deeply troubled. Jesus holds two truths together. The Son of Man goes to his death as the Scriptures said. Yet the betrayer is still guilty, and Jesus says, “Woe to that man.” God’s plan is being fulfilled, but Judas is not excused.

Judas then speaks to Jesus as “Rabbi,” which fits Matthew’s picture of hollow loyalty. Jesus answers him plainly. The betrayal is no surprise to him.

Jesus then gives the bread and the cup their meaning. The bread points to his body. The cup points to his blood, “the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” This language looks back to the covenant blood of the Old Testament and shows that Jesus’ death is sacrificial and saving. It is not only an example or a tragic end. It is the act by which sins are forgiven.

The phrase “for many” shows that one gives his life on behalf of the many. The passage stresses the saving power of Jesus’ death without settling later theological debates.

Jesus also says he will not drink the fruit of the vine again until he drinks it new with them in his Father’s kingdom. The cross is not the end. Future kingdom fellowship is still ahead.

After a hymn, Jesus and the disciples go to the Mount of Olives. There Jesus says they will all fall away that night. He supports this with Scripture: the shepherd will be struck, and the sheep will scatter. Their failure is foreknown, but it is not excused. Jesus still adds hope by saying that after he is raised, he will go before them to Galilee.

Peter insists that he will never fall away. Jesus tells him that before the rooster crows, Peter will deny him three times. Peter still protests, and the other disciples do the same. Their bold words show sincere intention, but they are not strong enough to stand under pressure.

In Gethsemane, Matthew shows Jesus’ deep sorrow. He is anguished and distressed, even to the point of death. This is not sinful hesitation. It is the real burden of the sinless Son facing the cup the Father has given him.

The cup should not be reduced to fear of pain alone. In Scripture, the cup often points to one’s appointed portion, especially suffering and judgment. Here it stands for the suffering Jesus must endure in obedience to the Father. He asks that the cup might pass if possible, but he immediately submits: “Not what I will, but what you will.” His request is real, and his obedience is complete.

Jesus returns and finds the disciples sleeping. He tells them to watch and pray so they will not enter temptation. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” They mean well, but they are weak and unwatchful. Their sleep points ahead to their coming failure.

Jesus prays three times. This does not show indecision. It shows steady submission. Each prayer keeps placing the Father’s will above his own desire.

Then Judas arrives with a crowd carrying swords and clubs. He uses a kiss as the sign of betrayal. Jesus addresses him calmly and allows the arrest to go forward.

When one of Jesus’ companions uses a sword, Jesus stops him. He refuses violent defense. He says he could call on his Father and receive more than twelve legions of angels. He is not powerless. He is surrendering willingly. But if he escaped that way, the Scriptures would not be fulfilled. Again Matthew shows that Jesus goes to the cross in obedience to God’s plan.

Jesus also points out that the crowd did not arrest him when he taught openly in the temple. Yet even this arrest happens so that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.

The section ends with all the disciples fleeing. Judas betrays, Peter boasts, the disciples sleep, one reaches for a sword, and all finally scatter. Against all this failure, Jesus alone remains faithful. He knows the Father’s will, obeys it, and goes forward to the cross as the one whose blood will be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

• Jesus goes to his death knowingly and willingly, not as a helpless victim.
• His death is covenantal and sacrificial: his blood is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
• Scripture’s fulfillment and human responsibility stand together in this passage.
• Gethsemane shows real anguish joined to perfect obedience.
• The disciples’ confidence fails because resolve without watchful prayer is weak.
• Jesus rejects violent defense and submits to the Father’s plan.
• Even in this dark hour, Jesus speaks of resurrection and future kingdom fellowship.

• Do not separate the Lord’s Supper from Jesus’ coming death, betrayal, and arrest; Matthew gives the meal its meaning inside the passion story.
• Do not use Scripture-fulfillment language to excuse Judas or deny human accountability.
• Do not read Gethsemane as sinful reluctance; Matthew presents real distress joined to complete obedience.
• Do not reduce the cup in Gethsemane to fear of pain only; it points to the Father-appointed suffering bound up with Jesus’ mission.
• Do not turn “for many” into more than this text itself clearly proves in later doctrinal debates.

Jesus says his time is near, and everything that follows unfolds under God’s plan. The betrayal, the scattering, the prayer, and the arrest all happen as the Scriptures said. Yet the people involved are still responsible for what they do. God’s purpose stands, and human guilt remains real.

Receive the Lord’s Supper with covenant and atonement weight, as a remembrance of Christ’s sacrificial death and the forgiveness of sins, not as empty ritual. Do not trust bold promises alone; watch and pray, because the flesh is weak. Bring real sorrow honestly to the Father, but submit yourself to his will as Jesus did. Do not try to advance Jesus’ cause by violence or coercion. Rest your confidence in Jesus’ faithfulness, not in your own strength.

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