Matthew 26-28 Class Comments

1. 26:1-16 What did the woman understand that the disciples did not? For whose benefit did Jesus make the statement in verse 11? [Consider: Did Judas's action here have anything to do with what had transpired with the woman? (See also John 12:3-8.)] Comments: She seemed to understand that Jesus’ death was imminent, something the disciples didn’t seem to realize until it actually happened. Judas’s action may have stemmed from his greed. Part of the money spent on this oil could have gone into his own pocket. In John 12, it is Judas who voices the objection.
2. 26:17-35 Who was with Jesus at this Passover meal? What announcement did Jesus make while they were eating? How did the others react? Comments: The Twelve ate this Passover meal with Jesus (verse 20). There’s no indication that other disciples were present (Mark 14:17; Luke 22:14). Jesus made two announcements: 1) that one would betray Him, and 2) that they would all fall away. Their reaction to the first was “Surely it’s not I, Lord?” and to the second, “I will never disown you.”
3. 26:36-50 What was Jesus’ prayer? How many times did He pray it? Why did Jesus want the three men to stay awake with Him? Comments: Three times Jesus prayed, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me, nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” In verse 41, he urges them to stay awake and pray to prevent them falling into temptation. He also wanted them to “watch” with Him, possibly indicating He needed their companionship in His anxiety. But they were exhausted and not aware of the imminence of His death.
4. 26:51-56 Which of the disciples here was fulfilling God's plan? Which one attempted to thwart it? (See also John 18:10.) Comments: Ironically, Judas was fulfilling God’s plan, while Peter tried to thwart it by striking the servant of the high priest.
5. 26:57-68 What was ironic about the high priest putting Jesus "under oath"? Comments: For one thing, verse 59 states that moments before, they had been seeking false witnesses. Second, they were asking the Son of God to take an oath before God. Third, they knew He wouldn’t lie about His identity; the evidence they could not get from false witnesses they sought to get from His telling them the truth.
6. 26:69-75 Why was Peter so adamant in his denials? Describe his distress. Comments: He was afraid, and also somewhat in a state of shock. Jesus had suddenly become vulnerable. This man with power over sickness, winds and water had always escaped arrest before. When Peter realized he had fulfilled Jesus’ prediction, he wept bitterly.
7. 27:1-10 What caused Judas to repent? [Consider: What did Judas expect to happen when he betrayed Jesus?] Comments: He saw Jesus had been condemned. Like Peter, he apparently believed that Jesus would miraculously escape. That’s always what had happened before. While the KJV and ASV render this “repented himself,” others translate if “remorseful” or “full of remorse,” indicating that this was not the kind of repentance that brought about a change in Judas’s life.
8. 27:11-26 In Pilate’s mind, why had the chief priests and elders brought Jesus before him? [Consider: Was Pilate's hand washing an act of courage or weakness?] Comments: Because of envy. A sign of weakness. He was passing the buck. In John 19:12, the Jews remind Pilate that if he releases Jesus he is no friend of Caesar, so Pilate also fears loss of political power.
9. 27:27-44 What added to the physical cruelty of the cross? What groups participated in this cruelty? Comments: Taunting and insults. The governor’s soldiers (27-31); passersby (39-40); chief priests, scribes, and elders (41-43); and the robbers crucified with him (44) also reviled him.
10. 27:45-56 Describe the events that occurred when Jesus died. [Consider: Before He died, what may have been even worse than His physical pain? (verse 46)] Comments: He cried out (45); they offered Him vinegar (47); He “yielded up His spirit” (50); the temple veil tore from top to bottom, the earth quaked, graves opened, and some were resurrected (51-53); guards confessed (54); while the women looked on (55). Even worse than His physical pain was being forsaken by His Father as Jesus took on the sins of all the world for all time.
11. 27:57-66 Who buried Jesus’ body? What was the next demand made of Pilate by the chief priests and Pharisees? Comments: Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy disciple. The chief priests and Pharisees asked that the tomb be secured and guarded so the disciples wouldn’t steal the body and claim that Jesus had risen from the dead.
12. 28:1-10 When they saw the angel, how did the guards react? How did the angel calm the women? Who else appeared to them? Comments: They fainted away as if dead. The angel calmed the women with “Do not be afraid. I know you seek Jesus.” The risen Jesus also appeared to them with “Do not be afraid.”
13. 28:11-15 After recovering from their shock, to whom did the guards immediately go? Whose guards were they? (27:65) Comments: The guards immediately went to the chief priests, even though they were responsible to the governor.
14. 28:16-18 Who has all authority? [Consider: What significance does that hold for us?] Comments: Jesus has all authority – on heaven and on earth. This means that he is the primary authority for what we believe, teach, and do.
15. 28:19-20 What command did Jesus give in these verses? What promise? Comments: He told the apostles to make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach the disciples what they had been taught by him. Question raised in class: Since not all of us are able to go abroad, does this mean the first commandment applies only to the apostles? His promise was that we don’t have to do this alone. He will be with us to the end.