Matthew 26

Son of Man

Son of Man — in Latter-day Saint understanding, the Son of Man of Holiness, the Father (Moses 6:57)

And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Matthew 26:1–2

Jesus foretells that He will be betrayed and crucified at the very feast that remembers the Passover lamb. The timing is no accident: He is the true Lamb whose blood saves.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 14:1 — Mark's account of the Passover approaching and the plot
• typified by Exodus 12:21-23 — The Passover lamb whose blood spared Israel prefigured His death at this feast
• interpreted by 1 Corinthians 5:7 — Christ our passover is sacrificed for us
• interpreted by Moses 6:57 — Explains the title as Son of Man of Holiness

Messiah

Messiah — the Anointed One

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, Matthew 26:3–4

The rulers gather to plot against Jesus, just as the psalm foresaw rulers taking counsel against the Lord and His Anointed.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Psalm 2:2 — The rulers take counsel together against the LORD, and against his anointed
• a parallel account in Mark 14:1 — Same plot

Messiah

Messiah (Christ) — the Anointed One

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, Matthew 26:6–13

A woman anoints Jesus' head, and He declares she has prepared His body for burial. The Anointed One is literally anointed days before His death, and He foretells that death plainly.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 14:3-9 — Mark's account of the anointing at Bethany
• a parallel account in John 12:3-7 — John names Mary and records the same words about His burial

Betrayal of Christ

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, Matthew 26:14–16

Judas sells Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave. Zechariah had foretold that the Lord would be valued at exactly this price.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Zechariah 11:12-13 — They weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver
• alludes to Exodus 21:32 — Thirty shekels of silver was the price paid for a slave
• fulfilled by Matthew 27:9-10 — Matthew later names the fulfilled prophecy

Passover Lamb

Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? Matthew 26:17–19

Jesus, calling Himself the Master, says His time has come and He will keep the Passover. He eats the meal that pointed to Him on the night before He becomes the true Passover Lamb.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• typified by Exodus 12:3-7 — The lamb without blemish slain at Passover
• interpreted by 1 Corinthians 5:7 — Christ our passover is sacrificed for us
• a parallel account in Mark 14:12-16 — Preparing the Passover

Son of Man

Son of Man — the Son of Man of Holiness (Moses 6:57)

And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Matthew 26:21–25

At supper Jesus reveals that one of the Twelve will betray Him, and that His path to death is exactly what the scriptures had written. He knows, and still goes forward.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Psalm 41:9 — Mine own familiar friend, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me
• a parallel account in John 13:18-26 — John's account of identifying the betrayer, citing Psalm 41:9
• a parallel account in Mark 14:18-21 — Mark's account

Sacrament

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Matthew 26:26

Jesus institutes the sacrament: the broken bread represents His body, soon to be broken for us. Latter-day Saints renew covenants with this same ordinance every week.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 14:22 — Mark's account of the bread
• a parallel account in Luke 22:19 — Luke adds: this do in remembrance of me
• the same event in 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 — Paul's account of the Lord's supper

Atonement

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; Matthew 26:27–28

Jesus says the cup is His blood of the new covenant, shed so that many can be forgiven. This is His own plain statement of why He would suffer and die.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 14:23-24 — Mark's account of the cup
• alludes to Exodus 24:8 — Moses: Behold the blood of the covenant
• fulfils Jeremiah 31:31 — The LORD promises a new covenant
• alludes to Isaiah 53:12 — He bare the sin of many

Second Coming

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. Matthew 26:29

Jesus promises a future day when He will again drink the sacramental cup with His disciples in His Father's kingdom. Latter-day revelation confirms He will do so on the earth with His prophets.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by D&C 27:5-14 — The Lord will drink of the fruit of the vine with His prophets on the earth
• a parallel account in Mark 14:25 — Mark's account

Good Shepherd

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. Matthew 26:31

Jesus quotes Zechariah and names Himself the Shepherd who will be struck down, leaving the sheep scattered. That night the disciples flee.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Zechariah 13:7 — Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered
• the same title in John 10:11 — I am the good shepherd
• fulfilled by Matthew 26:56 — All the disciples forsook him, and fled

Resurrection

But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Matthew 26:32

Even while predicting His death, Jesus promises He will rise and meet them in Galilee. The angel and the risen Lord repeat this promise in chapter 28.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by Matthew 28:7 — The angel: he goeth before you into Galilee
• fulfilled by Matthew 28:16-17 — The eleven see Him on a mountain in Galilee

Jesus

Jesus — Greek form of Joshua, Jehovah saves

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Matthew 26:34

Jesus foresees Peter's threefold denial. He knows His disciples' weakness and loves them anyway.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by Matthew 26:75 — Peter remembers the word of Jesus after the cock crows

Gethsemane

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. Matthew 26:36–44

In Gethsemane Jesus begins the Atonement, feeling sorrow unto death and pleading three times that the cup might pass, yet submitting fully to His Father's will. Latter-day Saints understand this as where He took upon Himself the sins and pains of all.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 14:32-42 — Mark's account of Gethsemane
• a parallel account in Luke 22:41-44 — Luke adds the angel and sweat as great drops of blood
• alluded to by D&C 19:16-19 — The Savior describes His suffering and not wanting to drink the bitter cup
• fulfils Mosiah 3:7 — Benjamin foretold His anguish, blood coming from every pore

Son of Man

Son of Man — the Son of Man of Holiness (Moses 6:57)

Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Matthew 26:45–46

Jesus announces that His hour has come and walks out to meet His betrayer rather than flee.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 14:41-42 — Mark's account

Betrayal of Christ

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. Matthew 26:47–50

Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, and Jesus still calls him Friend. The betrayal by a close companion fulfills the psalms.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Psalm 41:9 — Mine own familiar friend... hath lifted up his heel against me
• fulfils Psalm 55:12-14 — It was not an enemy... but thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance
• a parallel account in Mark 14:43-46 — Mark's account of the arrest

Atonement

And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Matthew 26:51–54

Jesus stops the sword and teaches that He could call down legions of angels, but chooses not to so the scriptures about His sacrifice will be fulfilled. His death is freely given, not forced.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 53:7 — He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter
• a parallel account in John 18:10-11 — John names Peter and adds: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Atonement

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. Matthew 26:55–56

Jesus says His arrest fulfills the prophets, and the disciples scatter exactly as He had quoted from Zechariah hours before.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Zechariah 13:7 — The sheep shall be scattered
• fulfils Matthew 26:31 — His own prediction that night

Resurrection

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; Matthew 26:59–61

False witnesses twist Jesus' earlier words about the temple. John explains He was speaking of the temple of His body, which He would raise in three days, so even the false charge carries a true prophecy of the Resurrection.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by John 2:19-21 — He spake of the temple of his body
• fulfils Psalm 27:12 — False witnesses are risen up against me

Son of God

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek for Messiah)

And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? Matthew 26:62–63

Jesus stays silent before false accusers, as Isaiah foretold, until the high priest demands under oath whether He is the Christ, the Son of God.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 53:7 — As a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth
• the same title in Matthew 16:16 — Peter: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God

Second Coming

Son of Man — the Son of Man of Holiness (Moses 6:57)

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. Matthew 26:64

Under oath, Jesus affirms He is the Christ and declares they will see Him exalted at God's right hand and returning in the clouds. He applies Daniel's vision and David's psalm to Himself.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Daniel 7:13-14 — One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven
• alludes to Psalm 110:1 — Sit thou at my right hand
• fulfilled by Acts 7:55-56 — Stephen sees the Son of man standing on the right hand of God
• a parallel account in Mark 14:61-62 — Mark records Jesus answering, I am

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

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. Matthew 26:65–68

Condemned for blasphemy, Jesus is spit upon, struck, and mocked as the Christ. Isaiah and Micah had foreseen the Messiah struck on the face and shamed with spitting.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 50:6 — I gave my back to the smiters... I hid not my face from shame and spitting
• fulfils Micah 5:1 — They shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek
• a parallel account in Mark 14:63-65 — Mark's account

Jesus

Jesus — Greek form of Joshua, Jehovah saves

Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. Matthew 26:69–75

Peter denies knowing Jesus three times, then remembers the Lord's words and weeps. Jesus' prophecy is fulfilled exactly, and Peter's later repentance shows the Savior's power to restore.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Matthew 26:34 — Jesus' prediction of the threefold denial
• a parallel account in Luke 22:61-62 — Luke adds that the Lord turned and looked upon Peter