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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:17

Verse 17 17.Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus. It is first inquired, Why does the day which preceded the sacrificing of the lamb receive the name of the day of unleavened bread? For the Law did not forbid the use of leaven till the lamb was eaten, (Exodus 12:18.) But this difficulty may be speedily removed, for the phrase refers to the following day, as is sufficiently evident from Mark and Luke. Since, therefore, the day of killing and eating the passover... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:18

Verse 18 18.Go into the city to such a man. Matthew specifies a certain man; the other two Evangelists relate that the disciples were sent as to an unknown individual, because a sign was given to them of a man carrying a pitcher of water. But this difference is easily reconciled; for Matthew passing by the miracle, describes that man who was then unknown to the disciples; for it cannot be doubted that, when they came to the house, they found that it was one of their acquaintances. Christ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:19

Verse 19 19.And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them. The readiness with which the disciples comply ought to be observed as a proof of their holy submission; for a doubt might naturally arise, when in search of an unknown man, whether they would obtain from the master of the house what they asked by their Master’s command, while they were aware that everywhere he was not only despised but even hated. Yet they make no anxious inquiry about the result, but peaceably obey the injunction.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:20

Verse 20 20.When the evening was come, he sat down at table. Not to eat the passover, which they were bound to do standing, as travelers, when they are in haste, are wont to take food hastily, with shoes on their feet, and a staff in their hand, (Exodus 12:11;) but I consider the meaning to be, that after having observed the solemn rite, he sat down at table to supper. Accordingly, the Evangelists say, when the evening was come: for, at the commencement of the evening, they killed the lamb,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:14-25

The crime of Judas. I. CHARACTER OF JUDAS . Though Judas had extraordinary capacity for crime, he must also have had more than ordinary leanings to what was good. He was an apostle. This implies on Christ's part discernment of some qualities in Judas likely to make him useful to the Church. It implies on Judas's part a willingness at least to put himself in the way of what was good. It is true he might follow Jesus as a speculation, expecting advancement and wealth as the result. But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:14-50

Judas. By piecing together what the various Gospels tell us about Judas, we can see the process by which our Lord separated him from the rest. 1 . Our Lord indicated that among the disciples there was a traitor. Unable to detect the conscious look of guilt in the face of any of his companions, each, conscious of the deep, unfathomed capacity for evil in his own heart, can but frankly ask the Master, "Lord, is it I?" But there was one of them who did not join in the question. 2 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:17

The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread; literally, on the first day of Unleavened Bread. We have arrived at the Thursday in the Holy Week, Nisan 13. Wednesday had been spent in retirement at Bethany, and no acts or sayings of Christ on that day are recorded. The festival actually began at sunset of the 14th which was called the day of preparation, because the lambs for the feast were slain in the afternoon of that day, preparatory to their being eaten before the morning of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:17-19

Preparation for the Paschal Sapper. ( Mark 14:12-16 ; Luke 22:7-13 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:17-30

The last Supper. I. THE PREPARATION . 1 . The question of the disciples. It was now the first day of Unleavened Bread, "when the Passover must be killed"; apparently, therefore, the fourteenth of Nisan, which seems to have been sometimes regarded as the beginning of the feast (see Josephus, 'War of the Jews,' Matthew 5:3 . 1), though the fifteenth was legally the first day. It is possible, therefore, that the disciples may have come to our Lord at the beginning of the fourteenth,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 26:17-30

The Lord's Supper. The institution of the Holy Supper was in connection with the eating of the Passover. The occasion was most appropriate and significant; for the Jewish feast had been instituted to foreshadow what the Christian festival was founded to commemorate (see 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 ). The two sacraments of Christianity express all that was expressed in the entire circle of the ceremonial law, and more. All the washings are embodied in the sacrament of baptism; all the sacrifices... read more

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