26:1-38. BETHANY. RETURN TO.
1,2. The Passover. Two days before.
3-6. Conspiracy of Chief Priests, Scribes, and Elders.
6-13. The 2nd Anointing.
14-16. Conspiracy of Judas Iscariot.
17-35. The Passover. One day before.
Matthew 26:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings,
(Marking an epoch. As in 11:1; 13:53; 19:1. See Chronology of the week of Passover)
He said unto His disciples,
2 "Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified."
(The feast of the Passover, is the first of the three annual festivals at which all the men must appear at the sanctuary. It is a memorial feast day in remembrance of that day in Egypt, when the death angel passed over the homes of the Israelites that had the blood of the slaying lamb on their door posts. The event is recorded in Exodus 12:21-22.
Exodus 12:21-22; "Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning."
In the first event it was required that the pashal, or sacrificial Lamb be without blemish, and thus it became typical of Jesus Christ.
Hebrew Strong's #6453 pecach- Passover
a) the sacrifice of Passover
b) the animal victim of the Passover
c) Festival of the Passover
I Peter 1:18-19; "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"
It was no accident that Jesus was heading for Jerusalem, and the Temple at this time, to be betrayed and crucified, for the events that surrounded this time of the crucifixion had been planned from before the very foundations of this earth flesh age.
I Peter 1:20; "Who verily was foreordained [forewarned] before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you."
Jesus journey that brought Him to the cross at Calvary hill, and shed His blood was the focus of the entire plan of God. It is why flesh man and woman was created, so that each of God's children be born of woman, and have the free will to chose God, or Satan which is destruction.
To all people that claim to be Christians, and a member of the body of Christ, Christ became our Passover. I Corinthians 5:7; "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:"
We are to purge the "old leaven", which is the heathen customs of tradition from our lives, and look to Christ only for our salvation. Many today celebrate the "feast of Ishtar", which is Easter, and call it of Christ, because they have mixed the heathen, with the death of Christ, and somehow that makes it alright in their minds. Christ became our Passover at His death, and that is our focus. Today the most of the Church world that calls themselves Christian, have not purged out the "old leaven", and in fact they have no idea of where the customs that practice even came form. It is also through their "old leaven", or traditions that they will end up, in this generation, following the Antichrist as the true Christ.
Our celebration must be the Passover, to the true Christ; and not to Ishtar, and her feast of Easter. If this is confusing to you, it is time to do your studies. How do we celebrate to Christ on Passover? Just as He will tell us later in this chapter, with the communion.)
3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
(Many assume that the high priest, or this Caiaphas, was appointed by God, however this position was a political position, and he was appointed by a Roman Governor. The name "Caiaphas" means depression. Remember back in Matthew 23:2, that the scribes and the Pharisees sit in the seat of Moses. They were the Kenites, which were from the Nethinims that assumed the roles of priests, as we read in both Ezra and Nehemiah. It is from these sons of Cain that the High priests were appointed, for they controlled the priesthood and the Temple, at the time of Christ.)
4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill Him.
(This is the religious community, that controlled the Temple, and ruled over the House of Judah. These Kenite lawyers, that called themselves priests and elders show their parentage of "Cain", and "Satan" here, as they planned the murder of Jesus.
Their nature reflects back to Genesis 4:8; "And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel, and slew him." These men were the offspring of Cain the first murderer, and they have their father's nature. This religious community does not know who Christ is, because they have so changed the laws and words of the prophets that they did not understand the times and events when they came to pass.
This is exactly as it is today, in the religious communities who have also so modified and changed the Word of God to conform to their traditions, that they are just as blind as the Pharisees, and the high priest "Caiaphas". The subtlety in today's religious leaders, to consult and attack anyone that disturbs their traditions, even to the point of consulting and planning with the government, is common in the press today.
Today some of the most damnable practices that God condemned are supported and allowed by many churches today, such as sodomy, abortion, and so on, and the people sit under their pastors and priests, and are so ignorant of the scriptures, will take pleasure in the support of these abominations.)
5 But they said, "Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people."
(These religious leaders of Jesus time were really presenting some kind of religion, when at the base of it all is the murder of Jesus. They felt Jesus was attacking the religious forms and thievery of the people that these Kenites had developed. The people loved Jesus, for He was teaching them, and healing their sickness and deformities. This then became a problem, for it had to be done in a manner that would conform to their lies, and deceptions or they would have riots on their hands.
Make a mental note that it was the decision of the hierarchy of the church, or Temple not to crucify Jesus Christ on that day of Passover. Then let it strengthen you that it was fore written, that it must take place on that day. We will see that God is in control, and that it is in fact the day of the crucifixion, that He would pay the price of our sins. In the end, they really did not have as much to do with the control as they might think, for God carried out the plan in every detail, to bring it to pass.)
6-13. THE SECOND ANOINTING.
6,7. The woman. Historic.
8. Indignation.
9. Reasoning.
10. Reprehension.
11. Reasoning.
12,13. The woman. Prophetic.
6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany,
(Note this return to Bethany from Jerusalem after Hist 1st entry in Matt. 21:1-17, &c., and before His triumphal entry in Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:29-38, and John 12:12-19.)
in the house of Simon
(Showing this to be a 2nd anointing, later than that of John 12:2-8.)
the leper,
(So called after his healing, as Matthew was still called "the tax-gatherer")
7 There came unto him a woman
(Unnamed. In the former anointing it was Mary.)
having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head,
(In the former anointing, by Mary, it was His feet. See John 12:3-8)
as He sat at meat.
8 But when His disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, "To what purpose is this waste?
(Notice that the entire family of disciples complained at this anointing, where at the first anointing it was only Judas that complained at the waste of money on the oil. The minds of the disciples are being prepared by God, for the scattering that will come about shortly.)
9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor."
10 When Jesus understood it, He said unto them, "Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon Me.
11 For ye have the poor always with you; but Me ye have not always.
12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on My body, she did it for My burial.
(Cp. John 19:40.
Even to this day, when we anoint with the oil of God's people, olive oil, we anoint on the head in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but the oil that this woman brought and anointed Jesus with was far greater in monetary value then olive oil.)
13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her."
(This woman did a holy and Godly thing.
The point was that the poor would always be with them, but what Christ was about to do, gave hope not to the poor at that time, but the ointment that she gave, anointed Christ for His burial, and anointed the poor of the whole world, that is every poor and wretched sinner, all of us, so we could have salvation. This woman was anointing the greatest gift of all ages, and all times that could ever be given to the poor.
This woman was thinking of the scripture, and ministering to the Lord of lords, and King of kings, and all men including the disciples fell short, yet she knew the truth. This woman followed the instructions and directions of the Holy Spirit to the letter. This woman anointed the Savior of the world, which is the greatest gift to the poor in spirit and of mind. This is why we are to remember her. She became the one to physically anoint our Lord, and even today our act of anointing is in the manner that she anointed Jesus.)
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot,
("Iscariot" in the Hebrew means "man of Kerioth". It comes form the Hebrew language, the prime in the Hebrew dictionary, # 7149, meaning the builder of the city. This refers to Cain who was the founder, and first builders of cities from Genesis 4:17. They were the Kenites, the offspring of Cain.)
went unto the chief priests,
15 And said unto them, "What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you?" And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
(These were shekels of the Sanctuary. Worth about $20 by today's standards. This was the price of an ox which had gored a servant [Ex.21:32]. It was here destined for the purchase of sacrifice.)
16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.
17 Now the first day
(The eating of the Passover took place on the 14th of Nisan [April 3rd]. See Ex. 12:6,8,12. The 15th was the high sabbath, the 1st day of the feast. See v.2, Num. 28:17.)
of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto Him,
(Understand that this is not the Passover of the Lamb. The Passover of the unleavened bread, comes on the fourteenth of Nisan, the first month of the Jewish calendar. The fifteenth of Nisan was the high Sabbath, the first day of the feast. This is recorded in Numbers 28:17, The meal is prepared on the fourteenth but served on the next day. It is one that will eat the feast of the unleavened bread, that will be the lamb. This then is the Passover that we are to celebrate, the feast of the Lamb, and Christ is that one. Christ is our Passover, and the feast that we partake of is in the Communion.)
-17-29. JERUSALEM. THE LAST SUPPER.
-17-19. The preparation.
20-25. The Supper. Prediction. Betrayal.
26-29. The New Covenant.
-17-19. THE PREPARATION.
-17. Preparation. Inquiry.
18. Command.
19-. Obedience.
-19. Preparation. Effected.
"Where wilt Thou that we prepare for Thee to eat the passover?"
(This question shows that the date was 14th of Nisan, April 3rd.)
18 And He said, "Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, 'The Master saith, 'My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with My disciples.' ' "
(In the Greek it is very specific, it says to a certain man. This preparation was arranged by the Holy Spirit, and it showed that there was a destiny for this householder, as He prepared the place for the last supper of Jesus with His disciples. It doesn't matter how small of a part that you play in the plan of God, but that you fill that duty faithfully.)
19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
(This is the feast of the unleavened bread.)
20-25. THE SUPPER. PREDICTION. BETRAYAL.
20,21. Prediction. Betrayal.
22. Question of all.
23. Answer.
24 Prediction.
25-. Question of one.
-25. Answer.
20 Now when the even was come, He sat down with the twelve.
21 And as they did eat,
(This had been preceded by John 13:1-30. It was the Passover feast, but not the Passover lamb, which followed it. See v.2)
He said, "Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me."
(The one that would betray Jesus was also planned by Almighty God, and every detail of the betrayal. This is why we are to leave the judging of Judas to the Father, for He repented, and it is not our right to judge.)
22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto Him, "Lord, is it I?"
(The average Christian thinks that there is no way that they could ever betray Jesus. However if you are confused by end times prophesy, more then likely you will betray Jesus, at the coming to the Antichrist. That is what Matthew twenty four was all about; our preparing that we would not be deceived, for that is the betrayal.)
23 And He answered and said, "He that dippeth his hand with Me in the dish, the same shall betray Me.
24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of Him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born."
(Jesus is saying that it would be good had that man not been born, because of the disgrace and shame that will be upon him. Judas was chosen from the world that was, and Judas had a destiny to fulfill this purpose in God's plan. This doesn't mean that He is going to hell, but because of the shame, it would have been good that He had not entered into this flesh body.)
25 Then Judas, which betrayed Him, answered and said, "Master, is it I?" He said unto him, "Thou hast said."
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread,
(Which was a hard biscuit required to be broken.)
and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."
A figure of speech consists of a word of words used out of the ordinary sense, or order; just as we call a person dressed out of the ordinary manner or fashion a "figure": both attract our attention; and, in the case of words, the one and only object is in order to call a reader's attention to what is thus emphasized. For examples see the notes on Matt. 16:6; where, had the Lord said "the doctrine of the Pharisees is like leaven", that would have been the Fig. Simile. Had He said "the doctrine of the Pharisees is leaven", the Fig. in this case would have been Metaphor; by which, instead of saying one thing is like another, it is carried over (as the word Metaphor means), and states that the one thing is the other. But in Matt. 16:6, the Lord used another Figure altogether, viz. Hypocatastasis (from hupo = under, kata = down, and stasis = a stationing), which means putting one of the two words (which are necessary in the case of Simile and Metaphor) down underneath, i.e. out of sight, and thus implying it. He said, "beware of the leaven", thus implying the word "doctrine", which He really meant; and, by thus attracting the disciples' attention to His words, thereby emphasized them.
In these three Figures we have a Positive, Comparative, and Superlative emphasis. The essence of Simile is resemblance; the essence of Metaphor is representation (as in the case of a portrait, which is representation of some person); the essence of Hypocatastasis is implication, where only one word is mentioned and another is implied.
Through non-acquaintance with Figures of Speech every Figure is to-day called a "Metaphor". But this is not the case. A Metaphor is a special Figure different and distinct from all others.
"This is My body" is the Figure Metaphor; and the Figure lies in the Verb "IS", which, as in this case always means "represents", and must always be so expressed. It can never mean "is changed into". Hence in the Figure Metaphor, the Verb "represents" can always be substituted for "is". For example:
"The field is (or represents) the world" (Matt. 13:38).
"The good seed are (represent) the sons of the kingdom" (Matt. 13:38).
"The reapers are (represent) angels" (Matt. 13:39).
"The odors are (represent) the prayers of the saints" (Rev. 5:8).
"The seven heads are (represent) seven mountains" (Rev. 17:9).
"This cup is (represents) the new covenant" (1Cor. 11:25).
"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not (does it not represent) the blood of Christ?" (1Cor. 10:16).
Furthermore, it is a fundamental law in Greek grammar, without exception, that the Article, Pronoun, and Adjective must agree in gender with the Noun to which they refer. For example, in Matt. 16:18, the Pronoun "this" is Feminine, and thus agrees with petra, which is also Feminine, and not with petros (Peter) which is Masculine.
So here: the Pronoun "this" is Neuter, and cannot agree with artos ( = bread) because artos is Masculine. It must refer to what is Neuter; and this could only be the whole act of breaking the bread, which would be Neuter also; or to klasma, the broken piece (which is also Neuter).
In like manner, when He said (in v. 28) "this is my blood of the New Covenant"; "this", being Neuter, refers to poterion ( = cup) (*1) and not to oinos ( = wine), which is Masculine, and means :-- "This [cup] represents My blood of the New Covenant, which is poured out for many, for remission of sins".
For, what was the Lord doing? He was making the New Covenant foretold in Jer. 31:31-34. If it were not made then, it can never be made at all (see Ap. 95), for no more has He blood to shed (Luke 24:39).
Now, "blood" was shed, and sacrificially used, only in connection with two things, making of a covenant, and the making of atonement. In the former, the victim which made or ratified the covenant was slain and the body divided in two, the parties to the covenant passing between (see notes on Gen. 15:9-18. Jer. 34:18. Gal. 3:20. and Ap. 95). As long as the victim (the covenant maker) was alive the covenant could have no force. See notes on Heb. 9:16-22.
At the last supper this New Covenant was made; and Peter's proclamation in Acts 2:38; 3:19-26; 5:31; and Paul's in 13:38; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20; were based upon it. Messiah had to be "cut off", that the Scriptures might be fulfilled (Acts 3:18). But that having been accomplished, and the sufferings having been endured, nothing stood in the way of the glory which should follow. "Repent ye THEREFORE and turn [to the Lord] that your sins may be blotted out", &c. The New Covenant which had been made had provided for that, as the Lord had said in Matt. 26:28, "for the remission of sins".
In that last supper the Lord was not instituting anything with a view to the Secret (the "Mystery" to be yet revealed in the Prison Epistles); but was substituting bread and wine for the Paschal Lamb (the type being exhausted in the Antitype), because of the new meaning which the Passover should henceforth convey. It was to be the Memorial, not of the Exodus from Egypt, but of the Exodus which the Lord afterward accomplished in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31), according to the New Covenant made by His death.
(*1) Poterion being put by Metonymy (of Adjunct), for the contents, for the "cup" itself could not be swallowed.
* From Appendix 159 of the Companion Bible.
27 And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is My blood
(No covenant could be made without the shedding of blood [Ex. 24:8. Heb. 9:20]; and no remission of sin without it [Lev. 17:11])
of the new testament,
(I.e. New Covenant. This can be nothing else than that foretold in Jer. 31:31. If not made then, it can never now be made, for the Lord has no blood to shed [Luke 24:39]. This is the ground of the proclamation of "them that heard Him" [Heb. 2:3]. See acts 2:38, 3:19, &c. New to its quality and character. This is the 1st occ. in the N.T. It is an O.T. word, and must always conform to O.T. usage and translation. It has nothing to do with the later Greek usage. It should always be rendered "covenant". See Heb. 9:15-22, and see The new Testament in relation to the Bible as a whole.)
which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
(See Acts 2:38; 3:19)
29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."
(This might have been soon verified, had the nation repented at the proclamation of Peter [Acts 3:19-26].
This is Jesus Christ's promise that He would return at the second advent. These disciples took the cup and drank it, and that cup sealed all the promises that Jesus made with them, and it was the one thing that they were to do whenever Christians met, that they would remember the sacrifice that was made for them. This is the New Covenant that Jesus Christ made With us, That is that His blood on that cross would pay the full price for the remission of all of our sins, when we believe on His Name, and repent our sins to the Heavenly Father, in Jesus name.)
30-35. THE 1ST PREDICTIONS OF PETER'S DENIALS.
30-32. The Stumbling of all.
33. The disclaimer of Peter.
34. The Denial of one.
35. The disclaimer of all.
30 And when they had sung an hymn,
(Probably the 2nd part of "the great Hallelujah", Ps. 115, 116, 117, 118)
they went out into the mount of Olives.
31 Then saith Jesus unto them, "All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, 'I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.'
(Ref. to Zech. 13:7 "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones."
Why would the scattering take place? To spread the truth of the Gospel, that Christ had come and paid the price.
There will also be another scattering in the end times, when the Antichrist shall appear, and the most of the flock of Christ will be scattered blindly into the Antichrist's camp. We are to wake up, and be watchmen for our time, to see to it that we are not one of the scattered.)
32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee."
(Jesus is promising them that He is not going to stay in that tomb. He told them here where He would meet them after His resurrection. Do you think that they all rushed there to wait on Him? We will see later; of course not. Some of them even went back to their fishing nets.)
33 Peter answered and said unto Him, "Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended."
34 Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice."
(I.e. three denials and a cock-crow; then three more and a second cock-crow; not 3 cock-crows. This prophecy was uttered 3 times: [1] John 13:38; relating to fact, not time [2] Luke 22:34, in the supper room; [3] and last, Matt. 26:34 [Mark 14:20], on the Mount of Olives.
This is another part of Jesus' teaching, for after the resurrection, Peter came back to Jesus and repented three times, as he repeated his love for Christ those three times. Jesus took Peter and used him to build His church upon, for Peter became firm in his convictions, even to the point of death, when he met the risen Christ.)
35 Peter said unto Him, "Though I should die with Thee, yet will I not deny Thee." Likewise also said all the disciples.
(Satan the Antichrist is going to appear on this earth very soon. It is time to prepare yourself mentally for the events that he shall bring with him. They will be supernatural, and many of the events will be similar to that of the sounding of the seventh trumpet when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. You may say the same words that these disciples spoke, and make all sorts of commitments, see to it that you don't fall as each of Jesus disciples fell, when the time of tribulation, and the crucifixion came to Christ.
Emotions simply will not give you the strength to stand against the Antichrist, but the wisdom and knowledge sealed in your mind will. When you prepare yourself to stand as a true watchman, then you will stand. You are not going to fly out of here in some rapture.)
36-46. THE AGONY.
36-. Arrival.
-36-38. Purpose. Stated.
39-45. Purpose. Effected.
46. Departure.
36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane,
(= oil-press. 4:1-11 and 36-46 here shows the correspondence between the Temptation in the Wilderness and the agony in the Garden. That both were an assault of Satan is shown in Luke 22:45, John 14:30, and by the fact that in each case angelic ministrations were given.)
and saith unto the disciples, "Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."
37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,
(James and John)
and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
(Jesus was the Living Word, and He knew every detail that He was going to be subjected to. He also knew the deception that would come about at the end of this earth age, and that many would deny Him in ignorance at that time. That is what He was sorrowful and heavy about. Not because of what He had to God through, for this was the purpose that He came to earth as a baby, and subjected Himself to pain. Christ was heavy because of all those that will turn their back on His cross.)
38 Then saith He unto them, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me."
(It is important to differentiate between flesh and spirit. It was His soul that was sorrowful, and His instruction to the the 3 disciples was to watch.)
39 And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt."
(Many people don't differentiate between flesh and spirit. They are taught and believe that Christ was sorrowful and distressed because His His flesh would soon be crucified. That isn't the case. The cup Jesus is praying to His Father about is the cup of God's wrath that Christ must pour out on the disobedient upon His return at the 2nd advent. His soul was sorrowful towards the disobedient.)
40 And He cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, "What, could ye not watch with Me one hour?
(This hour is a type for the hour of temptation written of in Revelation 17. This is the period of time in the future that antichrist will be worshiped by millions. Will you watch, or will you be deceived?)
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
(The spirit is passionately ready to serve God, but the flesh is weak. The flesh is easily sidetracked. We must learn to strengthen our spirits to overrule our flesh. It is your spirit that is willing to serve God. It is the flesh that can cause distractions. Don't go to sleep on your watch.)
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done."
(The very words of 6:10. There is nothing wrong with praying for the same thing more than once; however, if what we are praying for doesn't happen, we must be mature enough to realize that it wasn't God's will and move on.)
43 And He came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
(The disciples were under great strain, with the emotional pressures of the events, and teaching that had taken place, and then it was the time of the Passover, and the men were physically beat. You can relate to this in looking at the Christmas day celebration, with all its preparation, and then add to it the emotions of the close friend betraying them, and the fact that that night Jesus will be taken. The disciples eyes were heavy with the troubles of the world.
This is a time where we simply can not allow the troubles of the world to shut our spiritual eyes to the events that are now taking place. The end results can claim your very soul.)
44 And He left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
(Try things 3 times. Don't be a quitter, if your 1st attempt fails. Pray about it and make necessary adjustments. If success evades you after 3 attempts, you know it wasn't God's will and move on to something else.)
45 Then cometh He to His disciples, and saith unto them, "Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand,
(See John 7:6)
and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 Rise, let us be going: behold, He is at hand that doth betray Me."
(He that will betray and deceive many is at hand, that is to say the antichrist. Don't let him catch you sleeping. Be passionately ready to stand for the true Messiah.)
47-75. THE BETRAYAL.
47-56. Judas. Treachery.
57. The Lord. Led to Caiaphas.
58. Peter. Following.
56-66. The Lord before Caiaphas.
67,68. Personal abuse.
69-75. Peter. Denial.
47 And while He yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
(Looking back on history we see that the religious community has done more harm to the Christians then the sinners, and all the Roman soldiers of that day. In their anxiety to be faithful to God, they go out and chase after strange doctrines, trying to please God, and they turn away the very world of God, and the simplicity of His word. It is no different today as it was then. The religious leaders, and those that follow them still chase after strange doctrines of men. With all the new movements that are breaking out today, it is to bad that people cant see that mixing heathen tradition. All things of God are written in His Word.)
48 Now he that betrayed Him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He: hold Him fast."
(This is the same way the your friends and family, as well as your religious will betray you, during the hour of temptation, with a holy kiss. The kiss is the spiritual kiss of death. This is called the Judas kiss.)
49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, "Hail, Master;" and kissed Him.
50 And Jesus said unto him, "Friend, wherefore art thou come?" Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
(This was prophesied in Psalm 41:9; "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heal against me." Remember that Judas did eat of the bread of Communion, and supped right after him. To "lift up his heal against me," is one of the sign of the sons of Satan.
Psalm 41:10; "But thou, O Lord, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, That I may requite them." God did raise Jesus up and made all His prophecy come to pass.)
51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword,
(See Luke 22:36)
and struck a servant of the high priest's,
(A special body-servant of the high-priest, by name "Malchus" [John 18:16])
and smote off his ear.
52 Then said Jesus unto him, "Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword
(I.e. in their own responsibility [Rom. 13:4])
shall perish with the sword.
(Peter was doing a good thing when he was protecting his own, yet, this was a thing that had to be done, so Jesus took the protection away from Himself, and submitted to them.
A man of God will always stand up for that that is right, and when he protects his own, he is doing a righteous thing. This goes against what many are teaching, as they teach that we are to turn our cheek and allow Satan's forces to kick the Christians around. Jesus had His disciples armed with swords to protect their own. However the sword that we are to use in the end times, is the Word of God, and it is found Revelation 1:16, which will not cut an ear off, but their emotions to the point of submission to God.)
53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?
(I.e. for Himself and the 11 apostles. A legion consisted of 6,000 [6,000 x 12 = 72,000]. Cp. 2 Kings 6:17)
54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?"
(The scripture fulfilled here is Isaiah 53:7; "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not his mouth." It was scripture that their ears were not to be cut off. In this case there was to be no resistance, but total submission, as a lamb being lead to the slaughter.)
55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, "Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on Me."
(With this bunch of misfits, Jesus eleven could have put this pack of cowards on the run, and no angels were necessary, Yet it is written that Christ would submit to them.)
56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook Him, and fled.
57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
(This is the top of the Religious community. Remember in Ezra and Nehemiah we were taught that the duties of the Levitical had been taken over by the Nethinims, the Kenites that assumed their positions while the House of Judah was in captivity in Babylon. The three families of scribes assumed their duties also in Babylon, as recorded in I Chronicles 2:55; "And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez [Jerusalem]; the Tirathites, the Shimaethites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites that came of Hamath, the father of the house of Rechab."
The murderers of Christ; the ones that plotted, and lied to set up the shedding of Jesus blood were the High priests, and the Kenite Pharisees and scribes, along with the elders of the people that followed these Temple leaders. Caiaphas the high priest was not placed in power by God, but by the Roman Governor.)
58 But Peter followed Him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
59-66. THE LORD BEFORE CAIAPHAS.
59-61. False witnesses. Sought.
62-64. Examination.
65-66-. False witnesses. Superseded.
-66. Condemnation.
59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put Him to death;
(You didn't read over that did you? the religious community sought out a bunch of liars, to support their evil deeds.
Let's put this in English, and in our modern times. Did the religious community see after a righteous man that could get to the bottom of this in truth? NO! They went after liars that they could bring false charges against Christ. This was a legal act, with hand on the Bible, and swearing before the very God, that they would kill His Son.)
60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
61 And said, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.' "
(This was false. This testimony is using the very words that God had spoken, out of context, which made it a lie; as recorded in Saint John 2:19; "Jesus answered and said unto them, "Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Jesus was referring to His own body as the Temple of God, for it is. This is recorded in Revelation 21:22, where it talks about the fact that in the next age Christ is the Temple. "And I saw no Temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it." Christ's body is the Temple then, and our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit of God. Do you see what is happening? they are applying a spiritual teaching to the physical realm. They simply are not rightly dividing the Word of God.
That new Temple that Jesus Christ would rebuild is the beautiful, spiritual resurrected body that He will have after His resurrection.)
62-64. EXAMINATION.
62. Question.
63-. Silence.
-63. Adjuration.
64. Condemnation.
62 And the high priest arose, and said unto Him, "Answerest Thou nothing? what is it which these witness against Thee?"
63 But Jesus held His peace, And the high priest answered and said unto Him, "I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God."
(Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy and not defending Himself. Remember Isaiah 53:7; "...As a sheep before the shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth." Knowing the piety of the religious community of today, I can see this old boy, in all of his self-righteous, demanding of the very Son of the Almighty God to give him an answer. And Jesus said nothing. It is almost humorous today how the religious community think of God as a tool at their disposal.
The very question asked of Jesus, shows that these religious sorts, had no idea of what was written in the word. If a man said this and was not the Christ, then it would be blasphemy; yet, as they listen to Jesus teachings, and watched the healings, and paid attention to the events that were taking place, they would have known.
Jesus does speak up:)
64 Jesus saith unto him, "Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."
(Quoted from Ps. 110:1.)
65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, "He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard His blasphemy.
(It is not sacrilegious that we should liken many of the present day religious leaders to this high priest, they love to drag up someone that falls short, to make an example to others, and shame them in public. They play act, for they find pleasure in their own speeches, when the mere repentance of the sinner forgives the sin.
Though it was in fulfillment to scripture, it is still a lesson to be learned. These self-righteous types, miss the greatest gift in all Christian reality, and that is of forgiveness. When unbelievers could be converted, through the act of mercy that God gives, they parade before God, just like Satan their father is doing in heaven, accusing the brethren. You see it in many churches today, they draw the poor misguided sinner before the congregation, and degrade that person, for their own self gratification. God will judge them far more harsh then that sinner, just for the act of judging her.)
66 What think ye?" They answered and said, "He is guilty of death."
67 Then did they spit in His face, and buffeted Him; and others smote Him with the palms of their hands,
(As this is taking place, remember is it is happening because, "thus saith the Lord." It was written in His Word, and planned before the foundations of this earth flesh age came about. Jesus Christ absorbed this for the purpose of allowing you to be drawn back to the Heavenly Father, and have your sins forgiven.)
68 Saying, "Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote Thee?"
(People like this need discipline, and in due time, they will get it. That is what the Millennium age is all about.)
69-74-. PETER. 3 DENIALS.
69. 1st challenge. A maid.
70. 1st denial.
71. 2nd challenge. Another (maid).
72. 2nd denial.
73. 3rd challenge. Bystanders.
74-. 3rd denial.
69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, "Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee."
(Remember Jesus told Peter that before the cock crowed three times, he would deny Christ? Well Peter is sitting out side the hall of Jesus trial, and this girl called attention to the fact that Peter was a Galilean, with Christ. this made the first time of denial.)
70 But he denied before them all, saying, "I know not what thou sayest."
71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, "This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth."
72 And again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the man."
73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, "Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee."
(This time the Galilean speech gave Peter away, and they knew that Peter was with Christ, yet Peter denied it again, this was the third time. Peter had did exactly as Jesus said He would do, denied Him three times.)
74 Then began he to curse and to swear,
(I.e. to call down curses upon himself if what he said was not true.)
saying, "I know not the man." And immediately the cock crew.
(Did Peter do this on his own? I don't believe so, for it is a lesson to us that we must be careful, especially in this generation that we do not deny Him. When the Antichrist appears, it will be easy to see all the wonders and supernatural things going on, and deny Christ, and claim the wrong Christ.
We are living in a time where most of the pulpits in our land are teaching their members to follow after a false Christ and preparing them to go with the first Christ. That is denying the true Christ. Do you know which Christ is the true one. That was what Matthew 24 was all about, not being deceived.)
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, "Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice." And he went out, and wept bitterly.
(His mind was set to defend Christ in the beginning, but his flesh was weak. Later we will see where Peter repented three times to Christ, as he identifies Jesus as the Son of the Living God.
Many living today will also deny God, as the time of the hour of temptation comes near. You need to have the seal of the knowledge of the Word of God in your mind, to keep you from being deceived by Satan's wonders and supernatural powers.)