Matthew 26 Summary - Quick Bible Study

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MATTHEW 26 SUMMARY IN 5 MINUTES

• WHEN:

  • The birth of Jesus probably occurred around 4 B.C..

  • From Luke 3:23, we know Jesus began His ministry when He was about 30 years old.

  • This would place the events of Jesus’ ministry roughly between 26-31 A.D..

• CHARACTERS:

  • Jesus - The Messiah. The Son of God.

  • Apostles - Jesus’ closest companions who fled during His arrest.

  • Caiaphas - The wicked high priest who wanted Jesus dead.

  • Judas Iscariot - One of Jesus’ 12 Apostles who betrayed Him to the Jewish leaders.

• WHERE:

  • Jesus was anointed with ointment in Bethany.

  • Jesus and the Apostles ate the Passover in Jerusalem.

  • Following the Passover, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and then to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He was arrested.

• OUTLINE:

  • THE PLAN TO KILL JESUS (26:1-26:5):

    • The chief priests and the elders met to plan Jesus’ murder.

    • They wanted to find a way to kill Him without causing an uproar in the city.

  • JESUS ANOINTED WITH OINTMENT WHILE IN BETHANY (26:6-26:13):

    • While Jesus was at Simon the Leper’s house, a woman approached Him and anointed His head with expensive ointment.

    • Some of the disciples complained, saying the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor.

    • But Jesus commended the woman and said her actions would be remembered everywhere the Gospel was proclaimed.

  • THE PASSOVER AND THE CHANGE OF THE MEMORIAL (26:14-26:35):

    • Jesus ate the Passover meal with His Apostles in an upper room.

    • He revealed that Judas Iscariot, one of His Apostles, would betray Him.

    • Jesus changed the memorial of the Passover to memorialize His sacrifice on the cross.

    • Jesus foretold that Peter would deny Him three times that night.

  • THE MOUNT OF OLIVES AND THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE (26:36-26:46):

    • Leaving the upper room, the group went to the Mount of Olives.

    • Jesus left His Apostles to pray while He went a short distance away.

    • He returned to find them sleeping three times.

  • JUDAS’ BETRAYAL (26:47-26:56):

    • Judas led a mob of men with swords and clubs to the Garden of Gethsemane.

    • He approached Jesus and kissed Him to identify Him to the mob.

    • Peter attacked the mob with his sword, but Jesus told him to put it away.

    • Jesus announced that His arrest was a fulfillment of the Scriptures.

  • ARREST AND PHONEY TRIAL (26:57-26:68):

    • Jesus was taken to the High Priest, Caiaphas, and accused of blasphemy.

    • The Jew’s brought false witnesses to lie about Jesus.

    • In the end, they condemned Him to die, spit on Him, and beat Him.

  • PETER’S DENIAL (26:69-26:75):

    • Peter followed Jesus to the High Priest’s house.

    • When he was confronted, he denied knowing Jesus 3 times because of fear.

• BIG PICTURE:

  • Nothing about the night of His arrest was a surprise to Jesus.

  • Jesus had repeatedly told His Apostles He was going to be arrested and killed.

  • This was God’s plan all along. Jesus allowed Himself to die for our sins.

• APPLICATION:

  • Even God’s enemies serve His purposes in the end.

  • The men who wanted Jesus destroyed thought they were stopping His mission.

  • In reality, God was using their stubborn hearts to accomplish His will.

  • We can either serve God willingly or serve Him unwillingly.

  • Those who serve Him willingly will be rewarded. Those who serve unwillingly, will be damned.