Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #12 Matthew 26:57-58 – To Caiaphas

Matthew 26:57-58 – To Caiaphas

|| Mark 14:53, 54; Luke 22:54, 55; John 18:24

MT26:57 Those who arrested Jesus led him off to[1] Caiaphas the high priest where the Scribes and elders were gathered together.[2] MT26:58 Now Peter was following from a distance until he entered the courtyard of the chief priest and sat down with the underlings[3] to witness the end.[4]

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[1] Led him off to: From the garden on the Mount of Olives hill this mob must have moved in the night through parts of the city. Surely in the night crowd noises would be heard on some city streets.

[2] Were gathered together: The religious hierarchy is already waiting in the first of a series of star-chamber courts.

[3] Underlings: The Greek is HYPERETON and may be rendered: KJV: servants; NW: subordinates; ASV: officers; RSV: guards.

[4] To witness the end: The Greek is TO TELOS and is also rendered: KJV: to see the end; NASB: the outcome; WEY: the issue. Luke 22:55 adds, “When they lit a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter was sitting in among them.” John 18:16 adds, “Therefore the other disciple (John), who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper and brought Peter in.”

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Preceding

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #1 Matthew 26:1-2 – Two Days Before Execution

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #2 Matthew 26:3-5 – Plotting to Seize Jesus

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #3 Matthew 26:6-13 – A Woman to Be Remembered

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #4 Matthew 26:14-16 – The Price of Betrayal

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #5 Matthew 26:17-19 – Passover Preparations

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #6 Matthew 26:20-25 – The Last Passover

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #7 Matthew 26:26-30 – Keep Doing This in My Memory

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #8 Matthew 26:31-35 – How All Will Be Stumbled This Night

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #9 Matthew 26:36-39 – Garden Prayer

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #10 Matthew 26:40-47 – Two More Prayers for the Cup to Pass

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #11 Matthew 26:48-56 – Betrayal by Judas and Arrest of Jesus

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #9 Matthew 26:36-39 – Garden Prayer

Matthew 26:36-39 – Garden Prayer

|| Mark 14:32-36; Luke 22:40-44

MT26:36 Thereafter Jesus arrived with them to the place called Gethsemane[1] and Jesus told his disciples, “Sit down here while I go over there where I may pray.” MT26:37 Having taken along with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John], Jesus started to be grieved[2] and intensely distressed.[3] MT26:38 Then Jesus said to the three apostles: “My soul is deeply depressed[4] to the point of death! Stay here with me[5] and remain awake.” MT26:39 Now Jesus went forward a little way and fell forward on his face,[6] praying: “My Father! If it is possible allow this cup[7] to pass me by. But not as I wish, as You will!”[8]

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[1] Gethsemane: Because of its name it may have been an olive grove with a press. Compare John 18:1, 2 and Luke 22:39.

[2] Grieved: Or, KJV: sorrowful; NEB: anguish; NOR: sad; PME: terrible distress.

[3] Intensely distressed: The Greek is A-DEMON-EIN and is also rendered: KJV: very heavy; RSV: great distress; NEB: dismay; WMS: distress of heart; NOR: deeply depressed; PME: misery.

[4] Deeply depressed: Or, KJV: exceeding sorrowful; KNX: ready to die with sorrow; NEB: my heart is ready to break with grief; WEY: crushed with anguish. Luke 22:44 adds, “… getting into an agony he continued praying more earnestly; and his sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground.” It seems Isaiah 53:3, 10, “… a man meant for pains… Yehowah delighted in crushing him; He caused him to become ill.” The full weight of the world begins to burden his shoulders and a Being who has existed for untold ages since time began is about to face an agonizing death.

[5] Stay here with me: The simple appeal of a friend in dire need which seems impossible to fulfilled. Or, KJV: tarry ye here, and watch with me; RIEU: wait here; GDSP: stay here and keep watch with me. It is clear that “watch” includes prayers.

[6] Jesus went forward a little way and fell forward on his face: Or, ASV: went forward a little; NASB: went a little beyond them; WMS: walked on a few steps and threw himself upon his face; RIEU: prostrated himself in prayer. Luke 22:41 adds, “He himself drew away from them about a stone’s throw.”

[7] This cup: It is the belief of many that this “cup” was the reproachful manner of our Lord’s public execution as an apparent criminal and lawbreaker. Paul applies Psalm 69:9 to Jesus: “The reproaches of those who were reproaching you have fallen upon me.” Jesus also applies Psalm 69:9 to himself (John 2:17). It was not from death Jesus asked to be excused but the reproachful manner. Or, TCNT: let me be spared this cup.

[8] As You will: At this moment the will of the Son is different from that of the Father to whom Jesus bends his own will. The prophecy of Psalm 40:8 must be fulfilled (Hebrews 10:7-9).

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Preceding

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #1 Matthew 26:1-2 – Two Days Before Execution

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #2 Matthew 26:3-5 – Plotting to Seize Jesus

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #3 Matthew 26:6-13 – A Woman to Be Remembered

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #4 Matthew 26:14-16 – The Price of Betrayal

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #5 Matthew 26:17-19 – Passover Preparations

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #6 Matthew 26:20-25 – The Last Passover

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #7 Matthew 26:26-30 – Keep Doing This in My Memory

Matthew 26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Last days of Jesus Christ #8 Matthew 26:31-35 – How All Will Be Stumbled This Night