palace = court, with access from the street. Should he so rendered in verses: Matthew 26:58 , Matthew 26:69 . Mark 14:54 , Mark 14:66 ; Mark 15:16 . Luke 11:21 ; Luke 22:55 .John 18:15 , as it is in Revelation 11:2 . It is rendered "hall" in Mark 15:16 . Luke 22:55 . read more
Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas.The court of the high priest was his palace; and the high priest mentioned here, Caiaphas, or Joseph Caiaphas, a son-in-law of Annas, had been named to that position by Valerius Gratus prior to 26 A.D., and was deposed by Vitellius in 37 A.D. The synoptics omit the first trial before Annas. The New Testament references to two high priests at the same time... read more
Matthew 26:3. Who was called Caiaphas— See John 11:49. Joseph Caiaphas was made high-priest by Valerius Gratus, as we learn from Josephus, Antiq. b. 18. 100: 3 and afterwards deposed by Vitellius, ch. 6. We may infer from Act 5:17 that Caiaphas was of the sect of the Sadducees. read more
Jesus’ fourth passion prediction and the plot to betray Him 26:1-5 (cf. Mark 14:1-2; Luke 22:1-2)These verses record the fourth major prediction of Jesus’ death that He gave His disciples (cf. Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22-23; Matthew 20:18-19). Matthew just finished recording Jesus’ claim to judge humankind (Matthew 25:31-46). Now he wrote that the Judge would suffer condemnation from the condemned. Jesus had warned His enemies about the consequences of hypocrisy (Matthew 23:12-31). Now we... read more
1. Preparations for Jesus’ crucifixion 26:1-46There were several events that led up to Jesus’ arrest. Matthew did not present them in strict chronological order but in a logical narrative order. read more
Opposition to Jesus had been rising for some time (cf. Matthew 12:14; Matthew 21:45-46). Matthew’s mention of this plot’s advance toward its climax following Jesus’ prediction (Matthew 26:2) has the effect of showing that His enemies’ conspiracy was ultimately a result of Jesus’ sovereign authority. He was not a powerless pawn under their control. He was really orchestrating His own passion.The chief priests and elders represented the clerical and lay members of the Sanhedrin respectively (cf.... read more
The Betrayal. The Last Supper. Arrest of Jesus, and Trial Before the High Priest1-5. A Council is held against Jesus (Mark 14:1; Luke 22:1: cp. John 13:1).2. After two days] This fixes the date as Tuesday, if the Passover was on Thursday night; or Wednesday, if, as is more probable, it was on Friday night. Is betrayed] This clear prediction is peculiar to St. Matthew.3. And the scribes] RV omits. The palace] RV ’the court,’ i.e. the central quadrangle, the house being built round a square plot... read more
(3) Then assembled together.—We learn from John 11:49-50. that the plan, as far as Caiaphas was concerned, had been formed before, immediately after the raising of Lazarus. What had happened since—the kingly entry, the expulsion of the money-changers, the way in which our Lord had baffled their attempt to entrap Him in His speech—would all work as so many motives to immediate action. The meeting now assembled may have been either a formal session of the Sanhedrin, or an informal conference of... read more
Name and Surname Matthew 26:6 Why these surnames? We do not want them, we do not like them; but there they are. Why not say 'Simon,' and let his identification be established by other means than by recalling the loathsomeness of the disease? Why these expansions of names, why these fringes and attachments? Why not identify men by something better than leprosy, or evil deed, or red shame of any kind? We fall here upon a very profitable scene of investigation and instruction. There seems to be... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 26:1-16
138. The plot to capture Jesus (Matthew 26:1-16; Mark 14:1-11; Luke 22:1-6)The Passover was only two days away, and Jesus knew its significance in relation to his coming death. Israelites kept the Feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread as an annual week-long festival in commemoration of ancient Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. God ‘passed over’ those houses where a lamb had been sacrificed in the place of those under judgment (Exodus 12:1-13). The people then escaped from bondage. For the next... read more