Matthew Chapter 26

Matthew 26 — “This Is My Body: The Hour of Betrayal, Sacrifice, and Obedient Love”

Matthew 25 revealed the judgment of the Son of Man.
Matthew 26 now reveals the price by which that judgment will be borne.

After teaching about readiness and mercy,
Christ enters His Passion.

This chapter teaches one central truth:

The Kingdom is founded not by power but by sacrificial love freely given.

1. The Hour Has Come

“When Jesus had finished all these sayings, He said… ‘You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.’” (Matt 26:1–2)

Christ announces His death before others plot it.

St John Chrysostom writes:

“He foretells His Passion to show that He goes to it willingly.”
(Homilies on Matthew)

The Cross is not accident.
It is decision.

2. The Plot of the Priests

“The chief priests and the elders of the people gathered…” (v. 3)

Religion conspires against Truth.

St Jerome remarks:

“They planned murder under the name of counsel.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

Darkness organizes itself
against light.

3. The Woman Who Anoints Christ

“A woman came up to Him with an alabaster flask…” (v. 7)

Her act is pure devotion.

St Augustine teaches:

“She anointed the Head of the Church who was about to suffer for the Church.”
(Sermons)

Love prepares what fear avoids.

4. “Why This Waste?”

(v. 8)

Utility judges love.

St John Chrysostom says:

“They measured the ointment, but did not measure their own hearts.”
(Homilies)

Charity is never waste
to God.

5. “She Has Done a Beautiful Thing”

(v. 10)

Christ defends love.

St Ambrose writes:

“Where love acts, Christ Himself pleads the cause.”
(On Luke)

True worship
looks foolish to calculation.

6. “She Did It for My Burial”

(v. 12)

Love sees what others ignore:
death is near.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“She anticipated the honor which the disciples delayed.”
(Homilies)

Women perceive
what fear blinds men to.

7. Judas’ Bargain

“Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot…” (v. 14)

A disciple becomes traitor.

St Augustine writes:

“He sold Him whom he had followed.”
(Sermons)

Proximity to Christ
does not guarantee fidelity.

8. Preparing the Passover

“Go into the city to a certain man…” (v. 18)

Even betrayal
moves within providence.

St Jerome comments:

“The betrayer plots, but the Lord prepares the feast.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

Grace continues
even as sin advances.

9. “One of You Will Betray Me”

(v. 21)

Truth is spoken
before treason is done.

St John Chrysostom says:

“He accuses not by name but by conscience.”
(Homilies)

Sin is exposed
by sorrow.

10. “Is It I, Lord?”

(v. 22)

All question themselves.

St Augustine teaches:

“The righteous suspect themselves before accusing others.”
(Sermons)

Humility guards
against collapse.

11. “You Have Said So”

(v. 25)

Judas confirms himself.

St Gregory the Great writes:

“He heard truth and chose falsehood.”
(Homilies)

Knowledge without love
hardens.

12. Institution of the Eucharist

“Take, eat; this is My body.” (v. 26)

Christ gives Himself
before He is taken.

St Ambrose writes:

“He offered His Body before it was struck, His Blood before it was shed.”
(On the Mysteries)

The Cross begins
at the table.

13. “This Is My Blood of the Covenant”

(v. 28)

The new Passover
is Christ Himself.

St Augustine says:

“The sacrifice is the Sacrament and the Sacrament is the sacrifice.”
(Sermons)

The Church lives
from this gift.

14. The New Kingdom Promise

“I shall not drink again… until that day.” (v. 29)

The Eucharist looks forward
to heaven.

St Gregory of Nyssa teaches:

“The table of earth prepares for the banquet of heaven.”
(On the Soul)

15. Peter’s Protest

“Even if I must die with You…” (v. 35)

Love speaks loudly,
weakness listens quietly.

St John Chrysostom observes:

“He trusted himself more than grace.”
(Homilies)

Sincerity
is not strength.

16. Gethsemane

“Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane.” (v. 36)

The garden replaces Eden.

St Ambrose writes:

“In a garden death began; in a garden obedience conquers.”
(On Luke)

Human will
faces divine will.

17. “My Soul Is Very Sorrowful”

(v. 38)

Christ tastes human anguish.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“He feared as man, He saved as God.”
(Homilies)

He sanctifies
our fear.

18. “Not As I Will, but As You Will”

(v. 39)

This is redemption’s hinge.

St Augustine writes:

“He took our will that He might heal it by His obedience.”
(Sermons)

Salvation begins
in surrender.

19. Sleeping Disciples

“Could you not watch one hour?” (v. 40)

Weakness joins sorrow.

St Jerome comments:

“They slept while the Shepherd was in agony.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

Grace waits
while men fail.

20. The Betrayer’s Kiss

“Judas came… and kissed Him.” (v. 49)

Love’s sign
becomes weapon.

St John Chrysostom says:

“He used the token of peace as a sign of war.”
(Homilies)

Sin corrupts
what is holy.

21. The Sword and the Healing

“Put your sword back…” (v. 52)

Violence is refused.

St Ambrose writes:

“He healed the wound of one who came to bind Him.”
(On Luke)

Mercy flows
even toward enemies.

22. The Scattering of the Sheep

“I will strike the shepherd…” (v. 31)

Fear fulfills prophecy.

St Augustine teaches:

“They fled so that grace might later gather them.”
(Sermons)

Failure is not final
when repentance remains.

23. Jesus Before Caiaphas

(v. 57)

False witnesses rise.

St Jerome writes:

“Truth stands silent while lies shout.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

Justice collapses
before power.

24. “You Will See the Son of Man”

(v. 64)

Christ foretells judgment
to His judges.

St Hilary of Poitiers comments:

“He was judged by men, but will judge men.”
(On Matthew)

Humiliation
contains glory.

25. Peter’s Denial

(vv. 69–74)

Fear conquers love.

St John Chrysostom says:

“He denied not because he hated, but because he feared.”
(Homilies)

Even the strong
can fall.

26. The Bitter Tears

“He went out and wept bitterly.” (v. 75)

Tears become
second baptism.

St Ambrose writes:

“He lost faith in himself and found mercy in God.”
(On Repentance)

Repentance
is resurrection of the soul.

Christ in Matthew 26

Jesus is:

• the Willing Victim
• the True Passover
• the Bread of Life
• the Obedient Son
• the Betrayed Friend
• the Suffering Servant
• the Judge to Come

Spiritual Application

Love Christ before calculating.

Watch and pray.

Trust grace, not self.

Receive the Eucharist as sacrifice.

Choose God’s will in sorrow.

Repent quickly.

Stand near the Cross.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
true Passover and Bread of Life,
You gave Your Body before it was broken
and Your Blood before it was shed.

Teach us to watch with You in prayer,
to surrender our will to the Father,
and to love You even when fear surrounds us.

Keep us faithful at Your table,
humble in our weakness,
and quick to repent when we fall,
until the day when sorrow is turned to joy
and we share the feast of Your Kingdom
forever and ever.

Amen.