Gospel of Matthew
Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024
CHAPTERS 26-28: THE LAST WEEK
CHAPTER 26
Passover and Betrayal
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Matthew Chapter 26 verse 1-2 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
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Jesus flat out tells everyone that in two days he would be crucified! How can they not be prepared for it with Him telling them exactly when it would occur? He has told them several times this was coming.
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Matthew Chapter 26 verse 3-4 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
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Plotting of priests to kill Jesus
The Anointing
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Matthew Chapter 26 verses 6-13 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50; John 12:2-8 |
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Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
But when his 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.
When Jesus understood it, he 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 hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
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At the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany occurs the anointing. The woman pours an alabaster box of ointment on Jesus’ head. Disciples upset that it was wasted and could have been sold. Jesus calls it preparation for burial. Another reference to His coming death.
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Matthew Chapter 26 verses 14-16 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6 |
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Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
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Judas makes arrangements with priests to betray Jesus.
Feast of Unleavened Bread
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Matthew Chapter 26 verses 17-20 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 14:12-17; Luke 22:7-16 |
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Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
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Disciples inquire as to where to celebrate. They are given directive to seek out a particular man and tell him they needed his house to use for Passover. How prepared to serve in any way was that man?
Disciples appear and make that statement and this IMPORTANT Passover was held at his house by Messiah. Can you picture opening your home to someone in the manner that this seems to have occurred?
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Matthew Chapter 26 verses 21-25 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 14:18-21; Luke 22:21-23; John 13:21-30 |
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And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
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The finger pointing at Judas.
The Last Supper
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Matthew Chapter 26 verses 26-29 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 |
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And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
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The Passover meal or now referred to as “The Last Supper”. Matthew’s account is kept short and simple with only the acknowledgement of Judas as betrayer and the partaking of bread and wine (not the conversation establishing the taking of communion).
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Matthew Chapter 26 verse 30 |
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And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
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Singing of a hymn before departing for the Mount of Olives.
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Matthew Chapter 26 verses 31-35 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-38; John 13:31-38 |
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Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
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Jesus makes reference to Zechariah 13:7 and says that all will get offended and be scattered. After he has risen he would go into Galilee BEFORE them! He already has “arranged” where to meet! Are they actually listening? Peters discourse regarding never denying. Jesus says he will before the crowing of the cock.
Prayer in the Garden
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Matthew Chapter 26 verses 36-46 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 14:26-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1 |
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Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
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Betrayal in the Garden
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Matthew Chapter 26 verses 47-56 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12 |
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And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?
Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me?
I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
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Judas arrives and betrays with a kiss. Matthew describes those that came with Judas as “a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders…”
These “people” would therefore be Jews that were temple “guards”. That is also indicated by the fact that Jesus is taken directly to the High Priest. If it had been Roman soldiers, he would have been taken elsewhere.
“…one of them with Jesus…” took his sword and cut off the ear of one of them that came to get Jesus. Matthew gives no indication of who it was. Neither does he mention any healing of the cutoff ear.
Matthew says every one of them fled!
Taken before Caiaphas
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Matthew Chapter 26 verses 57-68 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:54-65; John 18:24 |
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And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none.
At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace.
And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye?
They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
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Jesus held his peace. He had spoken publicly and had nothing to hide. What would any words that were spoken, now mean to these men that had arrested and bound him?
Peter’s Denial
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Matthew Chapter 26 verses 69-75 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 14:54-72; Luke 22:55-62; John 18:15-27 |
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Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
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CHAPTER 27 - Crucifixion
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Matthew Chapter 27 verse 1 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71 |
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When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
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They waited until dawn to condemn Him.
The tragic end for Judas
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Matthew Chapter 27 verse 3-10 |
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Parallel Passages: Acts 1:18-19 |
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Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.
And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
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It is Zechariah 11:13 that is being referred to. Why “Jeremy” is used is unknown. Some versions have translated it to Zechariah.
Jesus before Pilate
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Matthew Chapter 27 verse 2; 11-26 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 15:1-15; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:16 |
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And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?
They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done?
But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
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The Mocking
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Matthew Chapter 27 verses 27-30 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 15:16-19 |
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Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon 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! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
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Walk to Golgotha
Artwork copyrighted and used courtesy of Artist Alex Pokos
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Matthew Chapter 27 verse 31-34 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 15:20-23; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:16-17 |
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And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
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Artwork copyrighted and used courtesy of Artist Alex Pokos
First Hours on Cross
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Matthew Chapter 27 verse 35-44 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 15:24-32; Luke 23:33-43; John 19:18-27 |
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And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
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The soldiers at the cross would split the personal items between themselves as “payment”. His outer garment would have been one piece, instead of tearing it (could not sell it if torn) they cast lots for it. Prophecy from Psalm 22:18.
Death
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Matthew Chapter 27 verse 45-50 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 15:33-37; Luke 23:44-46; John 19:28-30 |
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Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
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Matthew Chapter 27 verse 51-53 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:47-49 |
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And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
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We know about the power that was displayed at the moment of the death of Jesus on the cross. The ripping of the veil, earth quakes and rocks being split and also GRAVES THAT WERE OPENED!
Here is the part never mentioned: Verse 53 says that they “…came out of the graves AFTER his resurrection…”. 1 Corinthians 15:23 teaches us that Jesus was the “first fruits”. He had to be the first one to come out of the Grave! These that HAD BEEN “dead” in the graves had to wait 3 days until they could follow Jesus out of the graves! Then they appeared all over Jerusalem as Jesus was appearing to the world!
It falls in that category of one of the many things scripture does not elaborate on and we did not need to know. But it is still JUST FUN to contemplate. Who were the ones chosen to rise at the moment of the death of Jesus instead of when he went charging through Hades and “he led captives free”? Why them? One hint might lay in the fact that they began appearing in Jerusalem. Therefore, they could have been recently deceased members of the community. What better testimony of the power of the resurrection?
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Matthew Chapter 27 verses 54-56 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:47-49 |
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Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
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Burial
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Matthew Chapter 27 verse 57-61 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-57; John 19:31-42 |
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When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
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Days In the Grave
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Matthew Chapter 27 verses 62-64 |
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Only in Gospel of Matthew |
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Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive,
After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
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Modern day traditions make Good Friday the crucifixion, Saturday in the tomb over Sabbath and then Resurrection on Sunday. This COULD NOT happen. The ONLY thing accurate in modern traditions is Saturday being the Sabbath and Sunday resurrection. It ends there.
It says the “next day”. if crucified on Friday, verse 62 would not occur, the priests of all people would be honoring the Sabbath (Saturday). This “Next day” was Friday (at the latest) and therefore Thursday (at the latest for burial). But that is not correct either (we will get to that in later verses).
An understanding of the term “day” is also needed. In the Jewish system, the day started at sunset and ended at sunset. Example: A day was from Wednesday at sunset and continued until sunset on Thursday.
“…day of the preparation…” happened prior to Sabbath. This meant to “prepare and make sure all leaven was gone” and food was prepared for the Sabbath. Nothing could be done on the Sabbath (Friday at sunset until Saturday at sunset). Jesus was in the tomb before dark (on one day) and THEN the NEXT day the priests visit Pilate.
They come to Pilate desiring “security” for tomb, remembering Jesus claim to rise after 3 days. Verse 63 says “…after three days…” The priests themselves are stating the literal three days.
Belief was that AFTER 3 days death was certain and guaranteed to be dead. Lazarus was in the tomb 3 days, that is why Jesus “waited” until then to raise Lazarus. It is also the reason the mourners were emphatic that Lazarus was definitely dead.
Back to the original issue. For Jesus to be in tomb 3 days, the ONLY possibility is that he was placed in tomb PRIOR to sunset WEDNESDAY.
Day 1 = Wednesday sunset to Thursday sunset
Day 2 = Thursday sunset to Friday sunset
Day 3 = Friday sunset to Saturday sunset – End of Sabbath
Day 4 = starting at Saturday sunset was first day of the week AND a Sunday when women went to tomb to take care of body which would have been the “official” time for doing so.
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Matthew Chapter 27 verses 65-66 |
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Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
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Pilate tells the priests “…you have a watch, go your way, make it as sure as you can” Vs 66 “…sealing the stone and setting a watch…” With the words used here and even verifying them in the Greek, the grave was guarded by a Roman “security” force with a Roman seal across the stone. Any suggestions to the contrary make the text false.
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An excellent resource site to aid in the study can be found at:
The Christian Resource Center of New Hampshire.
Has a chronological chart which follows the Life of Jesus Christ on Earth. It does an excellent job listing the events of the last days of Jesus and documenting those days. The document is titled: “The-Life-of-Jesus-Christ-on-Earth.pdf”
That site also has a single document mapping out the last week called: “The-Last-Days-of-Jesus-Christ.pdf”
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CHAPTER 28 – The Resurrection
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Matthew Chapter 28 verse 1 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 16:1 |
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In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
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First day of the week the two women went to the tomb to prepare the body.
Stone Rolled Away
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Matthew Chapter 28 verses 2-4 |
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And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
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There was a great earthquake. The stone did not need to be moved to allow Jesus to “come out”. He was resurrected. The stone HAD to be moved to prove the results of His HAVING been resurrected.
The soldiers SAW the angel! And became as “dead men”. It seems that the soldiers witnessed the entire proceedings between the women and the angel. It is not until verse 11 that Matthew states that “…some of the watch came into the city”
Angel Appears
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Matthew Chapter 28 verses 5-8 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 16:2-8; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:1 |
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And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.
Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
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Jesus Appears
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Matthew Chapter 28 verses 9-10 |
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And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
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The women were headed back to tell the disciples when Jesus met them, not at the tomb but on the way. He tells them to have the disciples meet Him in Galilee. This is just what He had said in Matthew 26:32. He would see them in Galilee. If they had been listening and believed, they would have already been in Galilee.
Report of the Guard
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Matthew Chapter 28 verses 11-15 |
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Only Appears in Matthew |
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Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
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Soldiers returned to the High Priests. Soldiers told them what they saw. Did this include the angel and what was said to the two women? Or was there so much fear that they did not remember anything?
They gave “large money unto the soldiers”. Jewish priest PAYING OFF Roman soldiers! Any report stating they saw an “angel” and the angel “said”; would definitely call for money to “silence” the story before it spread!
In any scenario, what would be normal repercussions of Jewish priests “paying off” the “foreign occupying army” in such a manner.
Then there is the amount. It states “large” money. There were “three hour” shifts of soldiers over the course of “three full days”. How many soldiers did they pay off?
It would be safe to assume they had to pay everyone for “silence” as to what really happened and then to commit perjury. What an “expense account” was used to kill Jesus. Between the soldiers and the betrayal money given to Judas.
Then there is the entire statement of the soldiers that the body was taken “while they slept”. What were the repercussions of an entire squad of soldiers “sleeping on duty”?
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Matthew Chapter 28 verses 16-20 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 16:15-18 |
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Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
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Disciples go to Galilee and see and hear from Jesus.
This is the end of the Gospel of Matthew. This was all that Matthew chose to document concerning events once Jesus was resurrected.