Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Matthew 26

The narrative of the death and sufferings of Christ is more particularly and fully recorded by all the four evangelists than any part of his history; for what should be determine, and desire to know, but Christ, and him crucified? And this chapter begins that memorable narrative. The year of the redeemed was now come, the seventy weeks determined were now accomplished, when transgression must be finished, reconciliation made, and an everlasting righteousness brought in, by the cutting off of Messiah the Prince, Daniel 9:24, 9:26. That awful scene is here introduced, to be read with reverence and holy fear. In this chapter, we have, I. The preliminaries, or prefaces, to Christ’s sufferings. 1. The previous notice given by him to his disciples, Matthew 26:1, 26:2. 2. The rulers’ conspiracy against him, Matthew 26:3-26:5. 3. The anointing of his head at a supper in Bethany, Matthew 26:6-26:13. 4. Judas’s bargain with the priests to betray him, Matthew 26:14-26:16. 5. Christ eating the passover with his disciples, Matthew 26:17-26:25. 6. His instituting the Lord’s supper, and his discourse with his disciples after it, Matthew 26:26-26:35. II. His entrance upon them, and some of the particulars of them. 1. His agony in the garden, Matthew 26:36-26:46. 2. The seizing of him by the officers, with Judas’s help, Matthew 26:47-26:56. 3. His arraignment before the chief priest, and his condemnation in his court, Matthew 26:57-26:68. 4. Peter’s denying him, Matthew 26:69-26:75. MHBCC 956.1