1. Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. {cp. Ex 12:1-20}
2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, {cp. Joh 13:2,27} being of the number of the twelve.
4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. {cp. Zech 11:12; Mat 26:15; Luk 16:13}
6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
7. Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide [it] among yourselves:
18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. {cp. Mat 26:29}
with desire {GK=epithumia, passionate longing} I have desired {GK=epithumeo} to eat this passover with you before I suffer {GK=pascho, experience pain and/or sorrow}...
He fully understood the intensity of what He would suffer, at the hands of men (eg., Mat 16:21; 17:12), and as the sacrifice which He Himself would offer for our sins (Heb 9:25-28; 13:12; 1Pet 3:18). cp. Psa 18:4,5; 116:3
Yet, far surpassing the pain of His 'passion', our Lord's passionate longing was to fulfill the Father's will, by completing the purpose for which He had come into the world. eg., Psa 40:7,8; Luk 12:50; Joh 4:34
Although He had repeatedly foretold His death and resurrection, the disciples still had not understood. Now, "before I suffer," He sets forth the significance of His sufferings, in a way that would be long remembered (v.19,20). 'Why' He suffered would become more clear as the Holy Spirit taught them (1Pet 3:18). "After His passion {GK=pascho}," the apostles would observe the evidence of His death and resurrection (Acts 1:3), but none will ever truly comprehend the measure of 'what' He suffered (eg., 2Cor 5:21). Yet, 'when' He suffered, He became the Way by which His own would come to know the true and living God, and the joy of Life in His presence (Joh 14:6; 17:1-3; cp. Heb 12:2).
I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
In that day, the 'fruit of the vine' will be the cause of joy for the Lord. He will drink it 'new' with His own, in His Kingdom (at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb). His great joy will be, not in a beverage, but in the realization of the 'fruit' of the 'true Vine' who poured out His Life, for (and into) the 'many' who trust in Him (cp. Isa 53:11,12; Mark 14:24; Joh 15:1-5; 1The 2:19).
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
21. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me [is] with me on the table. {Psa 41:9}
22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! {Psa 55:12-15}
23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
The strife among the disciples concerning who should be greatest.
24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. {cp. Mat 20:25}
The word 'benefactors' {GK=euergetes, lit., workers of good} was used as a title by Ptolemy III Euergetes (who reigned in Egypt, c. 246-222 BC), and later by Antiochus VII (who reigned in Syria, c. 138-129 BC). Israel had not forgotten the oppressive rule of these tyrants. Therefore, when Jesus used this word, the disciples understood that He was telling them not to 'lord it over' their fellow believers (cp. 1Pet 5:1-4).
26 But ye [shall] not [be] so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be {become} as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. {cp. Mat 23:8-12}
27 For whether [is] greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? [is] not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. {Mat 20:28; Joh 13:3-5; Php 2:5-8}
Matthew and Mark, in their Gospel accounts, mention similar strife several days prior to the Passover gathering. Only Luke places this discord in such close proximity to the Lord's last supper. Whether strife was overt or hidden, Jesus, knowing their hearts, chose to wash the disciples' feet on that occasion (Joh 13:3-17).
28 Ye are they which have continued {remained, persevered} with me in my temptations {trials, testings}. {cp. Joh 6:66-71; Heb 2:18; 4:15}
29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, {cp. Luk 12:32; Jam 2:5} as my Father hath appointed unto me; {Rev 2:26,27; 3:21}
30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, {Rev 19:9} and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. {cp. Rev 4:4}
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted {turned back}, strengthen {GK=sterizo, establish, make stedfast} thy brethren.
33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, {See Note at Mark 13:35.} before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
'Simon' {meaning 'hearing'} was Peter's natural name. The Lord had renamed him Cephas (HB) or Peter (GK), both meaning 'stone' or 'rock,' because He would cause His servant to become strong, solid, and unshakeable in the faith (Joh 1:42). But at this point, Peter thought he could stand in his own strength. Jesus emphasized Peter's natural weakness by using and doubling his natural name.
Foreknowing Simon's fleshly failure, the Lord had prayed {GK=deomai, besought [God] with desire} that his faith would not fail, under Satan's accusations. Though his faith was weak, Simon had heard and believed in God's Son (Joh 5:24; 10:27-30). The Lord would preserve him, because he was among the 'wheat,' whereas Judas was among the 'tares' set for destruction (Mat 13:30). Yet, the Lord would allow Satan to sift Simon 'like wheat,' in order to remove the 'chaff' of his self-confidence (v.33,34), much as God had used Satan's affliction of Job to refine His righteous servant (Job 2:3-6; 23:10).
Confronted with his fleshly failure, Peter would turn from himself, to place his full confidence in his Lord, who secured his conversion (1Joh 1:8-10; 2:1,2) and caused him to stand upon the true Rock (Mat 7:24; 16:15-18).
Subsequently, having become strong in Christ, Peter was used of the Lord to establish his brethren upon the same Foundation (eg.,
1Pet 2:4,5; 5:8-10; 2Pet 1:10-15; 3:17,18
Jesus warns the disciples of coming conflicts.
35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? {Mat 10:9,10; Luk 9:3; 10:4} And they said, Nothing.
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse {money belt}, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip {small bag}: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
His disciples, who had previously been supported by friendly countrymen, would now be serving Him in hostile territory (eg., Mat 10:22-25; Joh 15:20; 16:33). A 'sword' {a knife, or short sword, not necessarily a weapon of war} might be used as a tool for survival in the wilderness and/or for self-defense against thieves.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: {Isa 53:12; Mark 15:27,28} for the things concerning me have an end {a finishing point, a fulfillment of purpose}.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here [are] two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough {sufficient}. {cp. Mat 26:51-54; 2Cor 10:3-5}
While all four Gospel accounts mention that one of the disciples (ie., Peter) used a sword, in the garden at the time of Jesus' arrest, only Luke
explains that this sword was borrowed from the upper room. Only Luke records that the Lord counseled each disciple to purchase one. On this occasion, one (or two) swords was sufficient, because the Lord would not resist arrest (Joh 18:36).
39. And he came out, and went, as he was wont {accustomed}, {cp. Luk 21:37,38} to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation {testing}.
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Only doctor Luke records this outward indication of the intensity of the Lord's inner agony.
45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow {grief},
46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation {testing}.
Matthew and Mark record that the disciples were sleeping because their eyes were 'heavy' {burdened}. Luke reports that it was a burden of grief. As the Savior agonized in prayer (at a distance from them, and obscured by darkness), they were exhausted by what little they could observe of His burden.
Yet, being vulnerable to Satan's assault, they were in greater need of prayer. cp. Joh 14:30; 1Pet 5:8 (where "Be sober, be vigilant..." can be translated 'Watch, keep awake...')
47. And 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 to kiss him. {Prov 27:6}
48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer {GK=eao, allow} ye thus far. {ie., 'No more of this!' [NASB, ESV], cp. Joh 18:11} And he touched his ear, and healed him.
Only doctor Luke records the healing of the severed ear.
52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? {cp. v.37}
53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: {cp. Mat 21:45,46; Joh 7:30} but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. {cp. Eph 6:12; Col 1:13}
54. Then took they him, and led [him], and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
Some have imagined conflicts between the accounts, concerning whether the three accusers were men or women. A careful comparison reveals this complaint is baseless. All accounts agree the initial accuser was a woman. The word 'another' {GK=heteros} refers to a different person (of either gender). In some translations, the translators needlessly assumed a gender. It is likely that on each occasion, one person made the charge and several spoke in affirmation. Peter responding to his accusers, addressed the most recent or the most outspoken person.
59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this [fellow] also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. {v.34}
62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
63. And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote [him].
64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? {Isa 50:6}
65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.
66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
68 And if I also ask [you], ye will not answer me, nor let [me] go.
69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. {Psa 110:1; Dan 7:13,14}
70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. {ie., 'You say [it], that I am.' cp. Joh 8:58}
71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth. {Mat 26:65,66}
For the order of events and legal irregularities pertaining to Jesus' trial, see the Book Notes on Matthew 26:59-68.