Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 26
Matthew Henry Commentary
Matthew 26
Matthew Henry Commentary
Matthew 26
"And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these words, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days the passover cometh, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified. Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas; and they took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him. But they said, Not during the feast, lest a tumult arise among people." — Matthew 26:1-5 (ASV)
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.
"Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, there came unto him a woman having an alabaster cruse of exceeding precious ointment, and she poured it upon his head, as he sat at meat. But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this [ointment] might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. But Jesus perceiving it said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her." — Matthew 26:6-13 (ASV)
The pouring of ointment on Christ's head was a token of the highest respect. When there is true love in the heart for Jesus Christ, nothing will be thought too good to bestow upon him.
The more Christ's servants and their services are found fault with, 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 in all future ages, and in all places where the gospel would be preached. This prophecy is fulfilled.
"Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him [unto them.]" — Matthew 26:14-16 (ASV)
There were only 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 of heaven. The greater profession people make of religion, the greater opportunity they have of doing mischief, if their hearts are 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 anything criminal, though it would have served to justify his treachery.
What did Judas want? Was he not 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, people do without hesitation what is more shameful.
"Now on the first [day] of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt thou that we make ready for thee to eat the passover? And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Teacher saith, My time is at hand; I keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus appointed them; and they made ready the passover. Now when even was come, he was sitting at meat with the twelve disciples; and as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began to say unto him every one, Is it I, Lord? And he answered and said, He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born. And Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said, Is it I, Rabbi? He saith unto him, Thou hast said." — Matthew 26:17-25 (ASV)
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 is truly fitting for the disciples of Christ always to be vigilant over themselves, especially in trying times. We do not know how strongly we may be tempted, nor how far God may leave us to ourselves; therefore, we have reason not to be arrogant, but to fear. Heart-searching examination and fervent prayer are especially appropriate before the Lord's Supper, so 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.
"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins. But I say unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father`s kingdom. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives." — Matthew 26:26-30 (ASV)
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 Christ as he is offered to you; receive the atonement, approve of it, and submit to his grace and his government. Food merely looked at, however well garnished the dish may be, will not nourish; it must be eaten. So too, the doctrine of Christ must be received. 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 by its beams 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, in the Lord's supper, is 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 as referring to the joys and glories of the future state, which the saints will share with the Lord Jesus. That will be the kingdom of his Father; the wine of consolation will there always be 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.
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