LESSON 8
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
CHPTRS. 25-28
Explanations Matt. 26:47-75
- (47-50) Judas betrays Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- With a great multitude with swords and clubs: They clearly regarded Jesus as a dangerous man and came to take Him with great force.
1). Judas knew where to find them. Jesus could easily have foiled his plan by choosing a different place for this night, but this was not his intention.
- Greetings, Rabbi! Judas warmly greeted Jesus, even giving Him the customary kiss. But the kiss only precisely identified Jesus to the authorities who came to arrest Jesus. There are no more hollow, hypocritical words in the Bible than Greetings, Rabbi! in the mouth of Judas. The loving, heartfelt words of Jesus – calling Judas friend – stand in sharp contrast.
1). And kissed Him: Kissed Him heartily. What a tremendous contrast between the woman in Simon’s house (Luke 7) and Judas! Both kissed Jesus fervently: with strong emotion; yet the one could have died for Him, the other betrays Him to death.
- Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him: This happened only after they had all fallen to the ground when Jesus announced Himself as the I am (John 18:6).
- (51-56) The arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane.
- One of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear: Matthew doesn’t tell us, but we know from John 18:10that this unnamed swordsman was Peter.
1). But how came Peter to have a sword? Judea was at this time so infested with robbers and cut-throats that it was not deemed safe for any person to go unarmed. He probably carried one for his mere personal safety.
- He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels: Had Jesus wanted Divine help at this moment, He could have had it. There were more than twelve legions of angels ready to come to His aid.
1). A legion is judged to be six thousand foot and seven hundred horse. And this great army of angels is by prayer dispatched from heaven in an instant. The number is impressive, especially considering that one angel killed up to 185,000 soldiers in one night (2 Kings 19:35.)
- All this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled: With all power at His disposal, Jesus was in total command. He was not the victim of circumstance, but He managed circumstances for the fulfillment of prophecy.
- Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled: At this point, all the disciples scattered, running for their own safety. A few (Peter and John, at least) followed back to see what would happen at a distance. None of them stood beside Jesus and said, I have given my life to this Man. What you accuse Him of, you may accuse me of also. Instead, it was fulfilled what Jesus said: All of you will be made to stumble because of me (Matthew 26:31).
- The trial before the Sanhedrin.
- (57-61) Jesus is taken to the home of Caiaphas.
- Before Jesus came to the home of Caiaphas (the official high priest), He was led to the home of Annas, who was the ex-high priest and the power behind the throne of the high priest (according to John 18:12-14and John 18:19-23).
- Where the scribes and the elders were assembled: Caiaphas had gathered a group of the Sanhedrin to pass judgment on Jesus.
- Peter followed Him at a distance to see the end: Peter was determined to prove wrong Jesus’ prediction that He would deny and forsake Him at His death.
- (59-61) The first trial before the Sanhedrin.
- Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council: This nighttime trial was illegal according to the Sanhedrin’s own laws and regulations. According to Jewish law, all criminal trials must begin and end in the daylight. Therefore, though the decision to condemn Jesus was already made, they conducted a second trial in daylight (Luke 22:66-71), because they knew the first one – the real trial – had no legal standing.
1). This was only one of many illegalities made in the trial of Jesus. According to Jewish law, only decisions made in the official meeting place were valid. The first trial was held at the home of Caiaphas, the high priest.
- According to Jewish law, criminal cases could not be tried during the Passover season.
- According to Jewish law, only an acquittal could be issued on the day of the trial. Guilty verdicts had to wait one night to allow for feelings of mercy to rise.
- According to Jewish law, all evidence had to be guaranteed by two witnesses, who were separately examined and could not have contact with each other.
- According to Jewish law, false witness was punishable by death. Nothing was done to the many false witnesses in Jesus’ trial.
- According to Jewish law, a trial always began by bringing forth evidence for the innocence of the accused, before the evidence of guilt was offered. This was not the practice here.
- The council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death but found none: This is a remarkable testimony to the life and integrity of Jesus. For having lived such a public life and performed such a public ministry, it was difficult to find even false testimony against Him.
- This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days: After all the false witnesses had their say, Jesus was finally charged with threatening to destroy the temple (as in a modern-day bomb threat). Clearly, Jesus said “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). But this glorious prophecy of His resurrection was twisted into a terrorist threat. John 2:21makes it clear that He was speaking of the temple of His body.
- (62-64) Jesus testifies at His trial.
- Do You answer nothing? Jesus sat silently until He was commanded by the office of the high priest to answer the accusations against Him.
- And the high priest answered and said to Him, I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God! Seeing the trial going badly, Caiaphas confronted Jesus, acting more as an accuser than an impartial judge.
1). I adjure you is a rare and formal expression (cf. 1 Kings 22:16 ) for a similar Old Testament formula), invoking the name of God in order to compel a true answer. This is therefore the climax of the hearing.
- It is as you said: Instead of defending Himself, Jesus simply testified to the truth. He was indeed the Christ, the Son of God. He answered as briefly and directly as possible.
- You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power: Jesus added this one word of warning. He warned them that though they sat in judgment of Him now, He would one day sit in judgment/justice of them – and with a far more binding judgment/justice.
1).Power is a typically Jewish reverential expression to avoid pronouncing the sacred name of God (which might have laid Jesus open to the charge of blasphemy, though ironically it was precisely that charge on which he was condemned, Matthew 26:65.
- (65-68) The Sanhedrin react with horror and brutality.
- He has spoken blasphemy! The accusation of blasphemy would have been correct, except that Jesus was whom He said He was. It is no crime for the Christ, the Son of God, to declare who He really is.
- He is deserving of death: Their verdict reveals the depths of man’s depravity. God, in total perfection, came to earth, lived among men, and this was man’s reply to God.
- They spat in His face and beat Him: They spit on Him; they hit Him with their fists; they slapped Him with their open hands. It is easy to think that they did this because they didn’t know who He was. That is true in one sense, because they would not admit to themselves that He was indeed the Messiah and the Son of God. Yet in another sense it is not true at all, because by nature carnal man is an enemy of God (Romans 5:10, Colossians 1:21). For a long time man waited to literally hit, slap, and spit in God’s face.
1). Some ways that men still spit in the face of Jesus.
- Men spit in His face by denying His deity.
- Men spit in His face by rejecting His gospel.
- Men spit in His face by preferring their own righteousness.
- Men spit in His face by turning away from Jesus.
- (69-75) Fearing association with Jesus, Peter denies his relationship with Jesus three times.
- A servant girl came to him: Peter was not questioned before a hostile court or even an angry mob. Peter’s own fear made a servant girl and another girl hostile monsters in his eyes, and he bowed in fear before them.
- I do not know the Man! Peter’s sin of denying his association with Jesus grew worse with each denial. First, he merely lied; then he took an oath to the lie; then he began to curse and swear.
1). And, as if it would help distance himself from association with Jesus, Peter began to curse and swear. To call down curses on himself, sign of irritation and desperation; has lost self-control completely.
- Peter remembered the word of Jesus. So, he went out and wept bitterly: Peter finally remembered and took to heart what Jesus said, but in this case he did so too late. For now, all he could do was to weep bitterly. Yet Peter would be restored, showing a significant contrast between Judas (showing apostasy) and Peter (showing backsliding or as some say falling from grace). OT word is backsliding and the NT word/s are falling from Grace. But how can you fall from Grace?
Good news Jude 1:26!!
1). Apostasy is giving up the truth, as Judas did. Judas was sorry about his sin, but it was not a sorrow leading to repentance. Or perhaps he was when Jesus went to the lower parts and set the captives free. Something to consider.
2). As said backsliding is an Old Testament term: a decline from a spiritual experience once enjoyed. Peter slipped, but he will not fall; his bitter weeping and turning around will lead to repentance and restoration.
- And wept bitterly: This was the beginning of Peter’s repentance. Several things brought him to this place.
CHAPTER 27
Matthew 27:1-66
Matt. 27:1-35 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death.2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.”7 And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced,10 “and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” So Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. 15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.28 And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.29 When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”30 Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. 32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull,34 they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: 1 “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Taken from Ps. 22:18
27:1-35 YAH SHUA FACES PHILATAUS And when, being dawn, they take counsel concerning Yah Shua — all the Rabbi Priests and elders of the people so as to deathify him:and they bind him and take him and shelem him to Philataus the governor. THE REGRET OF YAH HUDA-Then Yah Huda the shelemer, when he sees he is condemned, repents, and goes and returns the thirty silver to the Rabbi Priests and elders, wording, I sinned in sheleming innocent blood. And they word to him, what is that to us? You know — you. and he throws the silver in the nave and departs and goes and strangles his soul. And the Rabbi Priests take the silver, and word, it is not allowed to cast the qurbana into the house because it is the price of blood. And they take counsel, and they merchandise there the field of the potter as a house of a tomb of strangers: because of this that field is called, The field of blood until this day.— then to fulfill what was worded through the hand of the prophet, who worded, And I take the thirty silvers the price of the precious that the sons of Isra El agreed: and I give them for the field of the potter as Yah Veh misvahed to me. John 11:12,13 And Yah Shua stands in front of the governor: and the governor asks, wording to him, Are you the sovereign of the Yah Hudaya? And Yah Shua word to him, You worded. — and when, in his being accused by the Rabbi Priests and elders ,he replies not a word. Then Philataus words to him, Hear you not how much they witness concerning you? And he gives him not a word — not one word so concerning this, the governor marvels greatly. And at every feast the governor has been accustomed to release one captive to the congregation — being whom they will: and being bound, is a famous prisoner called Bar Aba: and when they congregate Philataus words to them, whom will you that I release to you? Bar Aba? Or Yah Shua, called the Meshiah? — for Philataus knows they shelem him of envy. And when the governor sits upon his bamah, his own woman apostolizes to him, wording, You — have naught to do with that just man: for I suffered much this day in a dream because of him. And the Rabbi Priests and elders convince the congregation to ask for Bar Aba and destroy Yah Shua. The governor answers, wording to them, who of the two will you that I release to you? And they word, Bar Aba. Philataus words to them, And with Yah Shua called the Meshiah — what work I to him? They all word to him, Stake! And the governor words, Indeed, for what evil has he worked? And they shout excessively, wording, Stake! And when Philataus sees he gains naught whatever, but rather, a riot being excessive, he takes water, washes his hands in the eyes of the congregation, wording, I absolve of the blood of this just person: you acknowledge. And all the people answer, wording, His blood — upon us and upon our sons. BAR ABA RELEASED, YAH SHUA SHELEMED – Then he releases Bar Aba to them: and tortures Yah Shua with whips, and shelems him to stake. Then the strategists of the governor lead Yah Shua into the praetorium, and congregate all the squad to him: and they strip him and clothe him in a scarlet robe and they braid a wreath of thorns and place it upon his head and a reed in his right and they eulogize upon their knees in front of him, and mocking therein, wording, Shalom, sovereign of the Yah Hudaya! And they spit upon his face and taking the reed and wounding him on the head and when mocking within, they strip his robe and cloth him in his own garment and lead him to stake him. And when they go, they find a man — a Qurinaya, Shimun by name, and they compel him to bear his stake: and they come to a place called Gagulta — clarified, Skull: and they give him vinegar to drink mingled with gall and he tastes, and wills to not drink. YAH SHUA STAKED – And when they stake him and divide his garments by loto fulfilling shalam what the prophet worded, “They divided my garments among them and upon my garment they cast lots.” Aramaic NC
We will continue with explanations for Matthew 27:1-66 next week
We will continue with Les. 8 next week.
The blessings of the Lord are upon you whether by blood, adoption/sonship or assignment. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Prov. 10:22
David & Mary Sue