Summary of Matthew Chapter 26:

Summary of Matthew 26:

1. Plot to Kill Jesus (vv. 1–5)

   • Jesus predicts His imminent crucifixion.

   • The chief priests and elders conspire to arrest and kill Him, but they decide not to act during the Passover festival to avoid a public uproar.

2. Anointing at Bethany (vv. 6–13)

   • A woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume at Simon the leper’s house.

   • The disciples criticize the act as wasteful, but Jesus praises her, saying it prepares Him for burial.

3. Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus (vv. 14–16)

   • Judas Iscariot offers to betray Jesus to the chief priests in exchange for 30 silver coins.

4. The Last Supper (vv. 17–30)

   • Jesus celebrates Passover with His disciples.

   • He announces that one of them will betray Him.

   • Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, symbolically offering bread as His body and wine as His blood.

5. Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial (vv. 31–35)

   • Jesus tells the disciples they will fall away.

   • Peter insists he will never deny Jesus, but Jesus predicts Peter will deny Him three times before dawn.

6. Gethsemane (vv. 36–46)

   • Jesus prays in deep anguish, asking if the “cup” can pass from Him, but submits to God’s will.

   • The disciples fall asleep repeatedly, unable to keep watch with Him.

7. Jesus’ Arrest (vv. 47–56)

   • Judas arrives with a crowd and betrays Jesus with a kiss.

   • Jesus is arrested despite Peter’s attempt to defend Him with a sword.

8. Jesus Before the Sanhedrin (vv. 57–68)

   • Jesus is taken to the high priest Caiaphas.

   • False witnesses testify against Him.

   • Jesus acknowledges He is the Messiah, leading to His condemnation for blasphemy.

9. Peter’s Denial (vv. 69–75)

   • Peter denies knowing Jesus three times, just as predicted.

   • Realizing what he’s done, Peter weeps bitterly.

Key Themes:

• Jesus’ foreknowledge and acceptance of His fate.

• Betrayal by those close to Him (Judas and Peter).

• The institution of the Eucharist.

• The contrast between human weakness and divine obedience.