Mateo 26

1 Y ACONTECIO que, como hubo acabado Jesús todas estas palabras, dijo á sus discípulos:

2 Sabéis que dentro de dos días se hace la pascua, y el Hijo del hombre es entregado para ser crucificado.

3 Entonces los príncipes de los sacerdotes, y los escribas, y los ancianos del pueblo se juntaron al patio del pontífice, el cual se llamaba Caifás;

4 Y tuvieron consejo para prender por engaño á Jesús, y matarle.

5 Y decían: No en el día de la fiesta, porque no se haga alboroto en el pueblo.

6 Y estando Jesús en Bethania, en casa de Simón el leproso,

7 Vino á él una mujer, teniendo un vaso de alabastro de unguento de gran precio, y lo derramó sobre la cabeza de él, estando sentado á la mesa.

8 Lo cual viendo sus discípulos, se enojaron, diciendo: ¿Por qué se pierde esto?

9 Porque esto se podía vender por gran precio, y darse á los pobres.

10 Y entendiéndolo Jesús, les dijo: ¿Por qué dais pena á esta mujer? Pues ha hecho conmigo buena obra.

11 Porque siempre tendréis pobres con vosotros, mas á mí no siempre me tendréis.

12 Porque echando este unguento sobre mi cuerpo, para sepultarme lo ha hecho.

13 De cierto os digo, que donde quiera que este evangelio fuere predicado en todo el mundo, también será dicho para memoria de ella, lo que ésta ha hecho.

14 Entonces uno de los doce, que se llamaba Judas Iscariote, fué á los príncipes de los sacerdotes,

15 Y les dijo: ¿Qué me queréis dar, y yo os lo entregaré? Y ellos le señalaron treinta piezas de plata.

16 Y desde entonces buscaba oportunidad para entregarle.

17 Y el primer día de la fiesta de los panes sin levadura, vinieron los discípulos á Jesús, diciéndole: ¿Dónde quieres que aderecemos para ti para comer la pascua?

18 Y él dijo: Id á la ciudad á cierto hombre, y decidle: El Maestro dice: Mi tiempo está cerca; en tu casa haré la pascua con mis discípulos.

19 Y los discípulos hicieron como Jesús les mandó, y aderezaron la pascua.

20 Y como fué la tarde del día, se sentó á la mesa con los doce.

21 Y comiendo ellos, dijo: De cierto os digo, que uno de vosotros me ha de entregar.

22 Y entristecidos ellos en gran manera, comenzó cada uno de ellos á decirle: ¿Soy yo, Señor?

23 Entonces él respondiendo, dijo: El que mete la mano conmigo en el plato, ése me ha de entregar.

24 A la verdad el Hijo del hombre va, como está escrito de él, mas ¡ay de aquel hombre por quien el Hijo del hombre es entregado! bueno le fuera al tal hombre no haber nacido.

25 Entonces respondiendo Judas, que le entregaba, dijo. ¿Soy yo, Maestro? Dícele: Tú lo has dicho.

26 Y comiendo ellos, tomó Jesús el pan, y bendijo, y lo partió, y dió á sus discípulos, y dijo: Tomad, comed. esto es mi cuerpo.

27 Y tomando el vaso, y hechas gracias, les dió, diciendo: Bebed de él todos;

28 Porque esto es mi sangre del nuevo pacto, la cual es derramada por muchos para remisión de los pecados.

29 Y os digo, que desde ahora no beberé más de este fruto de la vid, hasta aquel día, cuando lo tengo de beber nuevo con vosotros en el reino de mi Padre.

30 Y habiendo cantado el himno, salieron al monte de las Olivas.

31 Entonces Jesús les dice: Todos vosotros seréis escandalizados en mí esta noche; porque escrito está: Heriré al Pastor, y las ovejas de la manada serán dispersas.

32 Mas después que haya resucitado, iré delante de vosotros á Galilea.

33 Y respondiendo Pedro, le dijo: Aunque todos sean escandalizados en ti, yo nunca seré escandalizado.

34 Jesús le dice: De cierto te digo que esta noche, antes que el gallo cante, me negarás tres veces.

35 Dícele Pedro. Aunque me sea menester morir contigo, no te negaré. Y todos los discípulos dijeron lo mismo.

36 Entonces llegó Jesús con ellos á la aldea que se llama Gethsemaní, y dice á sus discípulos: Sentaos aquí, hasta que vaya allí y ore.

37 Y tomando á Pedro, y á los dos hijos de Zebedeo, comenzó á entristecerse y á angustiarse en gran manera.

38 Entonces Jesús les dice: Mi alma está muy triste hasta la muerte; quedaos aquí, y velad conmigo.

39 Y yéndose un poco más adelante, se postró sobre su rostro, orando, y diciendo: Padre mío, si es posible, pase de mí este vaso; empero no como yo quiero, sino como tú.

40 Y vino á sus discípulos, y los halló durmiendo, y dijo á Pedro: ¿Así no habéis podido velar conmigo una hora?

41 Velad y orad, para que no entréis en tentación: el espíritu á la verdad está presto, mas la carne enferma.

42 Otra vez fué, segunda vez, y oró diciendo. Padre mío, si no puede este vaso pasar de mí sin que yo lo beba, hágase tu voluntad.

43 Y vino, y los halló otra vez durmiendo; porque los ojos de ellos estaban agravados.

44 Y dejándolos fuése de nuevo, y oró tercera vez, diciendo las mismas palabras.

45 Entonces vino á sus discípulos y díceles: Dormid ya, y descansad: he aquí ha llegado la hora, y el Hijo del hombre es entregado en manos de pecadores.

46 Levantaos, vamos: he aquí ha llegado el que me ha entregado.

47 Y hablando aún él, he aquí Judas, uno de los doce, vino, y con él mucha gente con espadas y con palos, de parte de los príncipes de los sacerdotes, y de los ancianos del pueblo.

48 Y el que le entregaba les había dado señal, diciendo: Al que yo besare, aquél es: prendedle.

49 Y luego que llegó á Jesús, dijo: Salve, Maestro. Y le besó.

50 Y Jesús le dijo: Amigo, ¿á qué vienes? Entonces llegaron, y echaron mano á Jesús, y le prendieron.

51 Y he aquí, uno de los que estaban con Jesús, extendiendo la mano, sacó su espada, é hiriendo á un siervo del pontífice, le quitó la oreja.

52 Entonces Jesús le dice: Vuelve tu espada á su lugar; porque todos los que tomaren espada, á espada perecerán.

53 ¿Acaso piensas que no puedo ahora orar á mi Padre, y él me daría más de doce legiones de ángeles?

54 ¿Cómo, pues, se cumplirían las Escrituras, que así conviene que sea hecho?

55 En aquella hora dijo Jesús á las gentes: ¿Como á ladrón habéis salido con espadas y con palos á prenderme? Cada día me sentaba con vosotros enseñando en el templo, y no me prendisteis.

56 Mas todo esto se hace, para que se cumplan las Escrituras de los profetas. Entonces todos los discípulos huyeron, dejándole.

57 Y ellos, prendido Jesús, le llevaron á Caifás pontífice, donde los escribas y los ancianos estaban juntos.

58 Mas Pedro le seguía de lejos hasta el patio del pontífice; y entrando dentro, estábase sentado con los criados, para ver el fin.

59 Y los príncipes de los sacerdotes, y los ancianos, y todo el consejo, buscaban falso testimonio contra Jesús, para entregale á la muerte;

60 Y no lo hallaron, aunque muchos testigos falsos se llegaban; mas á la postre vinieron dos testigos falsos,

61 Que dijeron: Este dijo: Puedo derribar el templo de Dios, y en tres días reedificarlo.

62 Y levantándose el pontífice, le dijo: ¿No respondes nada? ¿qué testifican éstos contra ti?

63 Mas Jesús callaba. Respondiendo el pontífice, le dijo: Te conjuro por el Dios viviente, que nos digas si eres tú el Cristo, Hijo de Dios.

64 Jesús le dijo: Tú lo has dicho: y aun os digo, que desde ahora habéis de ver al Hijo de los hombres sentado á la diestra de la potencia de Dios, y que viene en las nubes del cielo.

65 Entonces el pontífice rasgó sus vestidos, diciendo: Blasfemado ha: ¿qué más necesidad tenemos de testigos? He aquí, ahora habéis oído su blasfemia.

66 ¿Qué os parece? Y respondiendo ellos, dijeron: Culpado es de muerte.

67 Entonces le escupieron en el rostro, y le dieron de bofetadas; y otros le herían con mojicones,

68 Diciendo: Profetízanos tú, Cristo, quién es el que te ha herido.

69 Y Pedro estaba sentado fuera en el patio: y se llegó á él una criada, diciendo: Y tú con Jesús el Galileo estabas.

70 Mas él negó delante de todos, diciendo: No sé lo que dices.

71 Y saliendo él á la puerta, le vió otra, y dijo á los que estaban allí: También éste estaba con Jesús Nazareno.

72 Y nego otra vez con juramento: No conozco al hombre.

73 Y un poco después llegaron los que estaban por allí, y dijeron á Pedro: Verdaderamente también tú eres de ellos, porque aun tu habla te hace manifiesto.

74 Entonces comienzó á hacer imprecaciones, y á jurar, diciendo: No conozco al hombre. Y el gallo cantó luego.

75 Y se acordó Pedro de las palabras de Jesús, que le dijo: Antes que cante el gallo, me negarás tres veces. Y saliéndose fuera, lloró amargamente.

Mateo 26 Commentary

Chapter 26

The rulers conspire against Christ. (1-5) Christ anointed at Bethany. (6-13) Judas bargains to betray Christ. (14-16) The Passover. (17-25) Christ institutes his holy supper. (26-30) He warns his disciples. (31-35) His agony in the garden. (36-46) He is betrayed. (47-56) Christ before Caiaphas. (57-68) Peter denies him. (69-75)

Verses 1-5 Our Lord had often told of his sufferings as at a distance, now he speaks of them as at hand. At the same time the Jewish council consulted how they might put him to death secretly. But it pleased God to defeat their intention. Jesus, the true paschal Lamb, was to be sacrificed for us at that very time, and his death and resurrection rendered public.

Verses 6-13 The pouring ointment upon the head of Christ was a token of the highest respect. Where there is true love in the heart to Jesus Christ, nothing will be thought too good to bestow upon him. The more Christ's servants and their services are cavilled at, the more he manifests his acceptance. This act of faith and love was so remarkable, that it would be reported, as a memorial of Mary's faith and love, to all future ages, and in all places where the gospel should be preached. This prophecy is fulfilled.

Verses 14-16 There were but twelve called apostles, and one of them was like a devil; surely we must never expect any society to be quite pure on this side heaven. The greater profession men make of religion, the greater opportunity they have of doing mischief, if their hearts be not right with God. Observe, that Christ's own disciple, who knew so well his doctrine and manner of his life, and was false to him, could not charge him with any thing criminal, though it would have served to justify his treachery. What did Judas want? Was not he welcome wherever his Master was? Did he not fare as Christ fared? It is not the lack, but the love of money, that is the root of all evil. After he had made that wicked bargain, Judas had time to repent, and to revoke it; but when lesser acts of dishonesty have hardened the conscience men do without hesitation that which is more shameful.

Verses 17-25 Observe, the place for their eating the passover was pointed out by Christ to the disciples. He knows those hidden ones who favour his cause, and will graciously visit all who are willing to receive him. The disciples did as Jesus had appointed. Those who would have Christ's presence in the gospel passover, must do what he says. It well becomes the disciples of Christ always to be jealous over themselves, especially in trying times. We know not how strongly we may be tempted, nor how far God may leave us to ourselves, therefore we have reason not to be high-minded, but to fear. Heart-searching examination and fervent prayer are especially proper before the Lord's supper, that, as Christ our Passover is now sacrificed for us, we may keep this feast, renewing our repentance, our faith in his blood, and surrendering ourselves to his service.

Verses 26-30 This ordinance of the Lord's supper is to us the passover supper, by which we commemorate a much greater deliverance than that of Israel out of Egypt. Take, eat; accept of Christ as he is offered to you; receive the atonement, approve of it, submit to his grace and his government. Meat looked upon, be the dish ever so well garnished, will not nourish; it must be fed upon: so must the doctrine of Christ. This is my body; that is, spiritually, it signifies and represents his body. We partake of the sun, not by having the sun put into our hands, but the beams of it darted down upon us; so we partake of Christ by partaking of his grace, and the blessed fruits of the breaking of his body. The blood of Christ is signified and represented by the wine. He gave thanks, to teach us to look to God in every part of the ordinance. This cup he gave to the disciples with a command, Drink ye all of it. The pardon of sin is that great blessing which is, in the Lord's supper, conferred on all true believers; it is the foundation of all other blessings. He takes leave of such communion; and assures them of a happy meeting again at last; "Until that day when I drink it new with you", may be understood of the joys and glories of the future state, which the saints shall partake with the Lord Jesus. That will be the kingdom of his Father; the wine of consolation will there be always new. While we look at the outward signs of Christ's body broken and his blood shed for the remission of our sins, let us recollect that the feast cost him as much as though he had literally given his flesh to be eaten and his blood for us to drink.

Verses 31-35 Improper self-confidence, like that of Peter, is the first step to a fall. There is a proneness in all of us to be over-confident. But those fall soonest and foulest, who are the most confident in themselves. Those are least safe, who think themselves most secure. Satan is active to lead such astray; they are most off their guard: God leaves them to themselves, to humble them.

Verses 36-46 He who made atonement for the sins of mankind, submitted himself in a garden of suffering, to the will of God, from which man had revolted in a garden of pleasure. Christ took with him into that part of the garden where he suffered his agony, only those who had witnessed his glory in his transfiguration. Those are best prepared to suffer with Christ, who have by faith beheld his glory. The words used denote the most entire dejection, amazement, anguish, and horror of mind; the state of one surrounded with sorrows, overwhelmed with miseries, and almost swallowed up with terror and dismay. He now began to be sorrowful, and never ceased to be so till he said, It is finished. He prayed that, if possible, the cup might pass from him. But he also showed his perfect readiness to bear the load of his sufferings; he was willing to submit to all for our redemption and salvation. According to this example of Christ, we must drink of the bitterest cup which God puts into our hands; though nature struggle, it must submit. It should be more our care to get troubles sanctified, and our hearts satisfied under them, than to get them taken away. It is well for us that our salvation is in the hand of One who neither slumbers nor sleeps. All are tempted, but we should be much afraid of entering into temptation. To be secured from this, we should watch and pray, and continually look unto the Lord to hold us up that we may be safe. Doubtless our Lord had a clear and full view of the sufferings he was to endure, yet he spoke with the greatest calmness till this time. Christ was a Surety, who undertook to be answerable for our sins. Accordingly he was made sin for us, and suffered for our sins, the Just for the unjust; and Scripture ascribes his heaviest sufferings to the hand of God. He had full knowledge of the infinite evil of sin, and of the immense extent of that guilt for which he was to atone; with awful views of the Divine justice and holiness, and the punishment deserved by the sins of men, such as no tongue can express, or mind conceive. At the same time, Christ suffered being tempted; probably horrible thoughts were suggested by Satan that tended to gloom and every dreadful conclusion: these would be the more hard to bear from his perfect holiness. And did the load of imputed guilt so weigh down the soul of Him of whom it is said, He upholdeth all things by the word of his power? into what misery then must those sink whose sins are left upon their own heads! How will those escape who neglect so great salvation?

Verses 47-56 No enemies are so much to be abhorred as those professed disciples that betray Christ with a kiss. God has no need of our services, much less of our sins, to bring about his purposes. Though Christ was crucified through weakness, it was voluntary weakness; he submitted to death. If he had not been willing to suffer, they could not conquer him. It was a great sin for those who had left all to follow Jesus; now to leave him for they knew not what. What folly, for fear of death to flee from Him, whom they knew and acknowledged to be the Fountain of life!

Verses 57-68 Jesus was hurried into Jerusalem. It looks ill, and bodes worse, when those who are willing to be Christ's disciples, are not willing to be known to be so. Here began Peter's denying him: for to follow Christ afar off, is to begin to go back from him. It is more our concern to prepare for the end, whatever it may be, than curiously to ask what the end will be. The event is God's, but the duty is ours. Now the Scriptures were fulfilled, which said, False witnesses are risen up against me. Christ was accused, that we might not be condemned; and if at any time we suffer thus, let us remember we cannot expect to fare better than our Master. When Christ was made sin for us, he was silent, and left it to his blood to speak. Hitherto Jesus had seldom professed expressly to be the Christ, the Son of God; the tenor of his doctrine spoke it, and his miracles proved it; but now he would not omit to make an open confession of it. It would have looked like declining his sufferings. He thus confessed, as an example and encouragement to his followers, to confess him before men, whatever hazard they ran. Disdain, cruel mocking, and abhorrence, are the sure portion of the disciple as they were of the Master, from such as would buffet and deride the Lord of glory. These things were exactly foretold in the fiftieth chapter of Isaiah. Let us confess Christ's name, and bear the reproach, and he will confess us before his Father's throne.

Verses 69-75 Peter's sin is truly related, for the Scriptures deal faithfully. Bad company leads to sin: those who needlessly thrust themselves into it, may expect to be tempted and insnared, as Peter. They scarcely can come out of such company without guilt or grief, or both. It is a great fault to be shy of Christ; and to dissemble our knowledge of him, when we are called to own him, is, in effect, to deny him. Peter's sin was aggravated; but he fell into the sin by surprise, not as Judas, with design. But conscience should be to us as the crowing of the cock, to put us in mind of the sins we had forgotten. Peter was thus left to fall, to abate his self-confidence, and render him more modest, humble, compassionate, and useful to others. The event has taught believers many things ever since, and if infidels, Pharisees, and hypocrites stumble at it or abuse it, it is at their peril. Little do we know how we should act in very difficult situations, if we were left to ourselves. Let him, therefore, that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall; let us all distrust our own hearts, and rely wholly on the Lord. Peter wept bitterly. Sorrow for sin must not be slight, but great and deep. Peter, who wept so bitterly for denying Christ, never denied him again, but confessed him often in the face of danger. True repentance for any sin will be shown by the contrary grace and duty; that is a sign of our sorrowing not only bitterly, but sincerely.