THE DATE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. The point of difficult is _the day of the month._ Our Lord died on Friday, but from very early times there has been a dispute whether this Friday was the 15 th of Nisan, or the 14 th. The former view places the institution of the Lord's Supper at the regular time of ea... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:1. HAD FINISHED ALL THESE WORDS, _i.e.,_ in chaps, 14, 15. The time was Tuesday night, after Wednesday had begun, according to the Jewish reckoning.... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Lord had finished His public work as a Teacher; from this point He appears as High Priest. Matthew brings out this most fully: The events narrated in this section, though not given in chronological order (see note above), are connected in thought. First comes the more definite declaration of our... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:2. AFTER TWO DAYS. This means, ‘the day after tomorrow,' according to Jewish usage. As Wednesday had begun, Friday is the day indicated, beginning at sundown on (our) Thursday. THE PASSOVER COMETH. On the origin of this feast, see Exodus 12. The word ‘passover' expresses the literal sens... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:3. THEN GATHERED TOGETHER. The uncertainty of His enemies, despite their hostile desire, is in contrast with His clear statement of what would come to pass. ‘And the scribes ‘is probably inserted from Mark 14:1; Luke 22:2, Yet ‘the scribes ‘formed a part of the Sanhedrin, which was probab... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:4. BY SUBTLETY. On account of the impression made by our Lord upon the people, which still continued (Luke 21:38).... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:5. NOT DURING THE FEAST, _i.e.,_ the Passover week, during which the multitudes (sometimes reckoned at three millions on such occasions) remained at Jerusalem. Most of Christ's followers were Galileans, and the Galileans were all considered bold and quarrelsome. This feast was often the o... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:6. NOW WHEN JESUS WAS IN BETHANY. On Saturday evening, see note above. IN THE HOUSE OF SIMON THE LEPER. Probably already healed by Jesus, since otherwise he would have been unclean. He must not be confounded with the Pharisee called Simon, at whose house in Galilee a similar anointing h... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:7. THERE CAME UNTO HIM A WOMAN. Mary, the sister of Lazarus (comp. Matthew 10:38-42; John 11); not the woman (in Luke 7), ‘who was a sinner.' The latter person is generally, but without reason, identified with Mary Magdalene, and the three women confounded. HAVING AN ALABASTER BOX, or ‘... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:8. WERE SORE DISPLEASED. Judas was the spokesman, and probably the instigator of this indignation, the others siding with him. The three accounts here show perfect independence. ‘The disciples' (Matthew); ‘there were some' (Mark); ‘one of the disciples, Judas Iscariot' (John). No doubt, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:9. The best authorities omit ‘ointment' here, but it is necessary to supply it SOLD FOR MUCH. Pliny says that a pound of this ointment cost more than four hundred _denarii_ (comp.' three hundred pence,' Mark and John). GIVEN TO THE POOR. This suggestion, put forward by Judas, was with... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:10. BUT JESUS KNOWING IT, _i.e.,_ the whole case, as is evident. SAID UNTO THEM. He answers, not Judas, but the others. Yet this was a rebuke to Judas, and helped to ripen his treacherous design. WHY TROUBLE YE THE WOMAN? The chief concern is for the affectionate Mary. Her noble act of... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:11. FOR YE HAVE THE POOR ALWAYS WITH YOU (Mark adds: ‘and whensoever ye will ye may do them good ‘); BUT ME YE HAVE NOT ALWAYS. His speedy death is foretold; but the main point is, that this opportunity could never return; while the care of the poor would be a daily ‘duty to humanity down... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:12. TO PREPARE ME FOR BURIAL. Mary may have been aware of the predicted crucifixion, and thought of His actual burial when she anointed Him. If she was conscious of the meaning of her own act, then her love discerned what the disciples could not perceive; if she was not, then the Lord giv... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:13. VERILY, etc. A solemn, weighty preface. THIS GOSPEL. The tidings of salvation, with special reference to Christ's death, just alluded to. IN THE WHOLE WORLD. A prediction of the world-wide preaching of His death. THAT ALSO WHICH THIS WOMAN DID SHALL BE SPOKEN OF FOR A MEMORIAL OF... [ Continue Reading ]
The confession (Matthew 26:16), and the revelation (Matthew 26:21), constitute an epoch in the training of the Apostles. Despite their little faith and want of understanding, they cling to Him as the Christ of God. He calls for a confession of this. Peter, the usual spokesman, makes it. Then He reve... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:14. THEN ONE OF THE TWELVE, WHO WAS CALLED JUDAS ISCARIOT. Matthew does not turn aside from his narrative to declare motives or to heap up epithets. The principal motive, as is inferred from the strong expression of John (John 12:6), was _avarice_. Other views: that he was undecided wheth... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:15. WHAT ARE YE WILLING TO GIVE ME! No indication of hesitation. Mark (Mark 14:10) says that he went ‘ _in order_ that he might deliver him up to them.' THEY WEIGHED UNTO HIM. This, which is the correct sense, refers to the actual payment, which probably occurred on the night of the bet... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:16. FROM THAT TIME. Probably Tuesday evening. OPPORTUNITY. A time and place suited to the crafty policy of the Sanhedrin. The ‘opportunity ‘soon offered; only one night intervened. TO BETRAY HIM, or ‘deliver him up.' The same word as in Matthew 26:2; Matthew 26:15. Judas was not merel... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:17. ON THE FIRST DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD. The 14 th of Nisan, when the leaven was removed. In the evening of this day (after the 15 th had begun) the Passover was eaten. (See note on p. 207). THE DISCIPLES. It is probable that they came with the intention of inquiring on this point, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:17-19; the preparation for the Passover. Matthew 26:20-25; the actual celebration during which our Lord announces who would betray Him. Matthew 26:26-30; the institution of the Lord's Supper. On the date, see note at the beginning of the chapter (p. 207). THE PASSOVER RITES. At the Pasch... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:18. GO INTO THE CITY. Addressed to ‘two of his disciples' (Mark), ‘Peter and John' (Luke). TO SUCH A MAN. The name is not given. Mark and Luke give the sign by which they should find the right person: a man should meet them, bearing a pitcher of water, and following him, they should add... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:19. Comp, the fuller accounts of Mark (Mark 14:14-16) and Luke (Luke 22:11-13).... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:20. EVEN. Luke: ‘the hour.' Both point to the regular time. HE WAS SITTING AT MEAT, or, ‘reclining at table.' The original requirement was, to eat the Passover standing (Exodus 12:11). The Jews altered this when they came to the land of promise and rest.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:21. AND AS THEY WERE EATING. The four Evangelists are entirely independent in their accounts of the Last Supper. Luke (Luke 17:15-18) records the expression of our Lord's desire to eat the Passover with them _;_ and this seems to have been the first incident, attending the first cup (the... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:22. IS IT I, LORD? Comp, the fuller details in John 13:18-30. The Greek form of this question implies a denial; hence the hypocrisy of Judas in asking the question by himself, after the others. Yet every Christian may ask such a question at the Lord's table.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:23. HE THAT HATH DIPPED THE HAND WITH ME IN THE DISH. One near Him. There were probably a number of dishes, or bowls, distributed along the table, containing the broth called _charoseth_, prepared of dates, figs, etc., which was used at the Supper, representing, it is said, the Egyptian b... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:24. THE SON OF MAN GOETH, even as it is written of him. Luke: ‘As it hath been determined.' The prophecy implied the purpose. But. God's purposes include our freedom (comp. Acts 2:23) WOE UNTO THAT MAN. Stier: ‘The most affecting and melting _lamentation of love,_ which feels the woe as... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:25. AND JUDAS. John, who was next to our Lord (John 13:23), gives a more detailed account of what he saw and heard; which probably took place before the question of Judas, after the giving of the sop. The hypocrisy of that question at such a time is an indication that, ‘after the sop Sata... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:26. AS THEY WERE EATING. During the paschal feast, hence this was probably not the usual breaking of the Passover cakes. TOOK BREAD. The unleavened cakes, used on these occasions, easily broken. AND BLESSED. As was the custom. Luke and Paul say: ‘gave thanks,' which is the same thing.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE INSTITUTION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. This feast of love, designed to bind the hearts of Christians to their Lord and to each other, has, like the person of our Lord Himself, been made the occasion of controversies, alike unrefreshing and fruitless. The blessing of the holy communion does not depend... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:27. AND HE TOOK A CUP. Luke and Paul, ‘after supper.' Although the institution may have been independent of the regular mode of celebrating the Passover, the giving of thanks mentioned here, taken in connection with 1 Corinthians 10:16 (‘the cup of blessing'), indicates that this was a cu... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:28. FOR THIS IS MY BLOOD OF THE COVENANT. The wine, poured-out, is a symbol of the blood of Christ shed for us. Both here and in Mark the word ‘new' is omitted by the best authorities, though it occurs in the accounts of Luke and Paul. It was still the same covenant, though ‘new.' Hence a... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:29. I SHALL NOT DRINK HENCEFORTH. He is done with earthly rites, and at this sad moment points them to a future reunion at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The ordinance now receives its prophetic meaning (comp. 1 Corinthians 11:26 ‘till He come'), directing believers to the PERFECT visio... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:30. AND WHEN THEY HAD SUNG A HYMN (Psalms 115-118.) , THEY WENT OUT UNTO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, to Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36). Between the hymn and the going out we must insert the discourse and prayer of John 14-17. The place of eating the Passover was probably kept concealed, to give time... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:31. ALL YE. Not without a contrast to Judas who had gone. SHALL BE OFFENDED; ‘made to stumble,' ‘fall away.' IN ME, _i.e.,_ His betrayal and sufferings, THIS NIGHT, would be made by them an occasion of stumbling, a snare; they would forsake and deny Him. FOR IT IS WRITTEN (Zechariah... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PREDICTION OF PETER'S DENIAL. The conversation recorded in Matthew 26:31-35 seems to have taken place on the way across the brook Kedron to Gethsemane. Luke inserts a similar prediction, in connection with the incident about the two swords, which must have taken place before the departure. John... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:32. BUT AFTER I AM RAISED UP. The resurrection is again announced. I WILL GO BEFORE YOU. The figure of a shepherd is continued. Comp, the remaining words of Zechariah 13:7: ‘And I will turn my hand upon the little ones.' INTO GALILEE. In Galilee He collected His disciples: chap. Matth... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:33. BUT PETER ANSWERED. Instead of laying hold of the comforting part of the promise, Peter reverts to the first part. IF ALL... I WILL NEVER BE OFFENDED. The utterance of affection, yet of self-confidence and arrogance, since ‘all' refers to the other disciples. Hence he was allowed to... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:34. BEFORE THE COOK CROW. Mark: ‘Before a cock crow twice.' The first cock crow is about midnight, and heard by few; the second, about three in the morning, is usually called ‘cock-crowing' (comp. Mark 13:35). The latter is referred to here: Our Lord meant the actual cock-crowing to be a... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:35. EVEN IF I MUST DIE WITH THEE. In Luke and John, something like this precedes the prediction of the denial: in Matthew and Mark it occurs at this point. This favors the view that two different occasions are referred to. IN LIKE MANNER SAID ALSO ALL THE DISCIPLES. The ardent spokesman... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CONFLICT IN GETHSEMANE. This conflict presents our Lord in the reality of His manhood, in weakness and humiliation, but it is impossible to account for it unless we admit His Divine nature. (Hence there is no reason for supposing that John omits it because it presents the human weakness of our L... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:36. UNTO A PLACE CALLED GETHSEMANE. Luke (Luke 22:39) says in general ‘to the mount of Olives,' though hinting at a customary place; John (John 17:1-2) tells us that was a ‘garden' beyond the brook Kedron, known to Judas, ‘for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with His disciples. ‘‘Place ‘m... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:37. PETER AND THE TWO SONS OF ZEBEDEE. These three witnesses of His Divine glory on the Mount, were chosen to witness His human anguish in the valley. Yet they did not witness it (Matthew 26:40). Their NEARNESS seems to have been in some way a comfort to Him, though they could not help Hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:38. MY SOUL IS EXCEEDING SORROWFUL. Comp. John 12:27. A sufferer all His life, His sufferings now increased, EVEN UNTO DEATH. His human body would have given way under the sorrow of His human soul, had not strength been imparted by the ministrations of an angel (Luke 22:43). Soul and body... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:39. AND HE WENT FORWARD A LITTLE. ‘About a stone's cast' (Luke 22:41), since that seems to refer to this second withdrawal. Into the Holy of Holies He goes alone. Luke, a physician, gives more vivid statements. FELL ON HIS FACE. LUKE: ‘kneeled down.' Kneeling and prostration were scarce... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:40. SLEEPING. Not sound asleep, as we infer from Matthew 26:43, but in a dozing, drowsy state. Excessive sorrow has this result (comp. Luke 22:45). Spiritual influences, too, exhaust the body. Their drowsiness does not prove insensibility; they had, however, been warned to watch. UNTO P... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:41. WATCH AND PRAY. The care for them, which was involved in the rebuke even, now becomes most prominent. They needed then, and, as the original implies what is habitual, always to watch, to be on their guard, as well as to pray. And that for themselves: that ye enter not into temptation.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:42. AGAIN A SECOND TIME. Mark (Mark 14:39): ‘spake the same words.' The prayer is substantially the same, but the form indicates more fully the resignation and self-sacrifice: the cup had not passed away, He must drink it, and He says: THY WILL BE DONE.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:43. FOR THEIR EYES WERE HEAVY. Drowsiness, not deep sleep, is meant; Mark adds (Mark 14:40): ‘and they knew not what they should answer Him.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:44. THE THIRD TIME, SAYING AGAIN THE SAME WORDS. Now full strength came to enable Him to meet the sufferings before Him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:45. SLEEP ON NOW. Not ‘do ye still sleep? ‘but a permission, _i.e.,_ Sleep on now, if you can. It is not ironical; the circumstances forbid that. They could not take their rest, for the betrayer was coming. BEHOLD, THE HOUR IS AT HAND. The hour of His enemies, the hour of darkness (Luke... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:46. ARISE, _i.e._, rouse yourselves, not simply, stand up. LET US BE GOING. Both expressions imply haste, not necessarily terror. The conflict is over, the spirit of submission reigns; yet He is anxious that the trial of the moment of His betrayal should be over. His advancing to meet H... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:47. JUDAS knew the place. He had probably represented to the rulers the ease with which our Lord could now be taken, and overruled their decision to wait (Matthew 26:5). This haste favors the view that avarice was his leading motive. ONE OF THE TWELVE. Usually thus termed; here the phra... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:48. GAVE THEM A SIGN, previously agreed upon; comp. Mark 14:44, ‘had given.' WHOMSOEVER I SHALL KISS. The kiss among the ancients was a sign of affectionate and cordial intimacy, and particularly a token of fidelity, Genesis 29:11. TAKE HIM. Judas may have feared He might still elude t... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:49. AND STRAIGHTWAY. John 18:5, indicates that Judas appeared at first as if not directly belonging to the crowd, but soon moved in advance of them, as they fell back. He was probably excited as well as dissembling. HAIL, RABBI. A deceitful address. KISSED HIM. A stronger word than th... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:50. FRIEND. Comp. chap. Matthew 20:13. A term of civility, though not necessarily of friendship. Our Lora did not turn away, in holy indignation, from this Judas kiss. His meekness and gentleness under the greatest provocation, surpasses even the standard which He holds up for His discipl... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:51. ONE OF THEM. Peter, as was well known (John 18:26), but only John gives the name. DREW HIS SWORD. According to Luke (Luke 22:49) the question was first asked: ‘Shall we smite with the sword? ‘Peter did not wait for the answer. They had two swords (Luke 22:38), whoever had the other... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:52. THY SWORD; not mine! INTO ITS PLACE, _i.e.,_ the sheath (John 18:11). Peter was still standing with drawn sword. FOR ALL THEY THAT TAKE THE SWORD. A general proposition in regard to unwarranted recourse to measures of violence. SHALL PERISH WITH THE SWORD. The special reference i... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:53. OR THINKEST THOU. An appeal to Peter's faith, and also a declaration of power and an exhibition of patience. EVEN NOW, at this crisis when all seems to be lost TWELVE LEGIONS. He numbers His hosts by ‘legions,' as did the Romans (in whose hands he was). A legion included more than... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:54. HOW THEN, if I should invoke this aid, which I might do, should the Scriptures be fulfilled? Our Lord shows His patience and submission; even while asserting His majesty. THAT THUS IT MUST BE. According to the counsel of God, for the salvation of a sinful world, as declared in the S... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:55. MULTITUDES. Especially the rulers and temple-guards (Luke 22:52). Mark (Mark 14:48) says ‘answers,' _i.e.,_ to their actions, not their words. He was probably bound, at this time, but His protest does not imply a desire to resist. AS AGAINST A ROBBER, not ‘a thief,' against whom no... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:56. BUT ALL THIS HATH COME TO PASS. The words of our Lord. Mark gives a briefer form of the same thought; Luke, another expression, supplementing this: ‘but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.' This word of our Lord is therefore His final surrender of Himself to death; a willing... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:57. TO CAIAPHAS THE HIGH PRIEST. Appointed by the Romans, Annas having been deposed, as frequently occurred (comp. Matthew 26:8). WHERE THE SCRIBES AND ELDERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER. Mark inserts ‘the chief-priests,' indicating a meeting of the Sanhedrin or council (Matthew 26:59). The... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THREE TRIALS. These seem to have been three judicial examinations of our Lord. (1.) An examination before Annas, who, although deposed, was considered the real high-priest by the Jews, while they were obliged to recognize Caiaphas. This is mentioned by John only (John 18:13; John 18:15, etc.),... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:58. PETER FOLLOWED AFAR OFF. Not out of curiosity, yet like a mere spectator. Such following leads to danger, not to victory. UNTO THE COURT OF THE HIGH PRIEST. Not the ‘palace' (comp. Matthew 26:3), but the area enclosed by the building (which may not have been a ‘palace ‘). The entran... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:59. THE WHOLE COUNCIL. The Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were probably absent (Luke 23:51), since their opposition would have been in vain (comp. John 7:50; John 9:22). It was not the first time this body had consulted against Him. See John 7:45-53; John 9:22; John 11:57; J... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:60. AND FOUND IT NOT, _i.e.,_ to answer their purpose. MANY FALSE WITNESSES CAME, as was natural; but two witnesses to one specific point were required (Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15). AFTERWARD; after numerous vain attempts to find two, even apparently concordant... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:61. THIS MAN. ‘Fellow' conveys a sneer, not contained in the original. SAID; see John 2:19, for what our Lord really said. I AM ABLE TO DESTROY THE TEMPLE, etc. The testimony as recorded by Mark (Mark 14:58) differs in form, but the same Evangelist says (Matthew 26:59) their witness di... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:62. AND THE HIGH PRIEST STOOD UP. With a show of holy horror. ANSWEREST THOU NOTHING? Silence would be a contempt of important testimony. WHAT DO THESE WITNESS AGAINST THEE? Is it true or false? if true, what is its meaning? To make but one question of the high-priest's language does... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:63. BUT JESUS HELD HIS PEACE. Before Annas He had spoken (John 18:19-23), but that was not an official hearing. Here under false witness and reproach He (as before Herod) is silent, in patience and confidence of victory. The testimony was false in fact, even if partially true in form. An... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:64. JESUS SAITH. Put upon judicial oath our Lord replies. To be silent would be construed as a confession that He was not the Messiah. THOU HAST SAID. An affirmative answer (Mark 14:62: ‘I am'). This calm response, drawn out by the oath, is a public declaration of His Messiahship. It en... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:65. THEN THE HIGH-PRIEST RENT HIS CLOTHES, his upper-garment, not the high-priestly robe, which was worn only in the temple. Rending the clothes was a sign of mourning or of indignation (Acts 14:14), but in the former sense was forbidden to the high-priest (Leviticus 10:6; Leviticus 21:10... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:66. WHAT THINK YE? A formal putting of the question to vote. HE IS GUILTY (or ‘worthy') OF DEATH. The answer of all (Mark 14:64). This formal condemnation was, as they imagined, according to the law (Leviticus 24:16. comp. Deuteronomy 18:20). The Sanhedrin was forbidden to investigate an... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:67. THEN DID THEY SPIT IN HIS FACE. The guard chiefly, but probably the members of the Sanhedrin also (Acts 7:54; Acts 7:57; Acts 22:2). At all events they permitted it. It was an expression of the greatest contempt. Our Lord was treated as one excommunicated, though the final sentence ha... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:68. PROPHESY UNTO US, thou Christ. His face was covered, and after each b L ow, He was asked who gave it. The lower officials probably continued this scoffing amusement for some time. The Roman soldiers were apt in the same kind of mockery (chap. Matthew 27:28-31). First, condemned as a b... [ Continue Reading ]
FIRST DENIAL; Matthew 26:69-70. Matthew 26:69. NOW PETER WAS SITTING WITHOUT IN THE COURT, the interior court enclosed by the house. Mark: ‘below in the court,' _i.e._ below the room (probably on the ground-floor) where the examination was going on. If this room were open towards the court, as was... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VARIOUS ACCOUNTS of Peter's denial. All four Evangelists narrate the main facts. Their candid statements respecting what might seem derogatory to the good name of one of the chief Apostles is a guarantee of honesty and presumptive evidence of truthfulness. (Mark, who probably wrote under Peter's... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:70. BUT HE DENIED BEFORE THEM ALL. Before those gathered about the fire. I KNOW NOT WHAT THOU SAYEST. On this first occasion he denies, not only his discipleship and knowledge of Jesus (Luke and John), but even that he understood what she could mean (Matthew and Mark); possibly to two d... [ Continue Reading ]
SECOND DENIAL; MATTHEW 26:71-72. Matthew 26:71. INTO THE PORCH. In his embarrassing position, he left the fire, going out to the arched gateway leading from the court to the street; probably no further. Mark mentions a crowing of the cock, while he was there (comp. Mark 14:30). As Peter himself pro... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:72. DENIED WITH AN OATH. The oath is mentioned by Matthew alone, and was uttered to the maid in the porch. I KNOW NOT THE MAN. From evasion to perjury, one sin leading to another. The expression is even somewhat contemptuous; Peter was now ‘a stone of stumbling,' not a ‘rock.'... [ Continue Reading ]
THIRD DENIAL, followed by repentance; Matthew 26:73-75. Matthew 26:73. AND AFTER A LITTLE WHILE. ‘An hour' (Luke), so that the second cock-crowing followed immediately (Matthew 26:74). Peter probably remained in the porch, as a less conspicuous place. THEY THAT STOOD BY. A very general recognition... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:74. THEN BEGAN HE TO CURSE, or ‘to call down curses on himself,' if what he said was not true. AND TO SWEAR, to call God to witness that it was true. Probably at this time he was recognized by the kinsman of Malchus (John 18:26), who had been in the garden of Gethsemane, and doubtless i... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 26:75. AND PETER REMEMBERED. His memory was helped by our Lord's look of reproachful love (comp. Mark 14:72). THE WORD OF JESUS (Matthew 26:34). AND HE WENT OUT, _i.e.,_ from the porch into the street. His departure was not to save himself from his perilous position, but to be alone in h... [ Continue Reading ]