The Betrayal of Jesus Christ. In this chapter we have Judas betraying Jesus Christ. Before anything else can be said, I want you to consider all twelve disciples were chosen by Jesus. Judas, a chosen vessel of the LORD, had what I consider the toughest job. But, above all, remember he repented and if his repentance went unforgiven then I teach in vain. Matthew 26 and verse 1 reads.
Mat.26:1] And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
[2] Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
Betrayed and crucified were both prophesied in the Old Testament, Psalms 22 and 41, Zech.11, and 13 all of which we will get to in a minute. Now Jesus just told them that he would be betrayed and crucified, God’s plan from the beginning.
Mat.26:3] Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
[4] And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
Here are the leaders, elders and even the high priest conspiring for Christ to be killed. Breaking the sixth commandment of God.
Mat.26:5] But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
They think they are smarter than the prophets, Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God and of course the Lamb was to be sacrificed on the Passover. God’s Word will happen exactly as it is written.
Mat.26:6] Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
Obviously, this leper has been healed and deemed clean by a priest or it would be unlawful for anyone to be around him.
Mat.26:7] There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
[8] But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
[9] For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
First of all, Christ means; The Anointed One. Messiah. Now, about vilifying this woman for doing a good work, I’ll let Jesus explain.
Mat.26:10] When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
[11] For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
[12] For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
[13] Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
This woman has been memorialized even until this day, by reading this today she has been memorialized further. Notice Jesus said that by teaching this gospel, Matthew hasn’t written it as of yet. But know that Jesus is the Living Word.
Mat.26:14] Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
Now comes the betrayal, Judas is fulfilling prophecy, don’t forget he has been chosen by God for this purpose.
Mat.26:15] And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
This is prophesied in Zechariah 11 and verse 12 reads.
Zec.11:12] And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
Thirty pieces of silver in those days was the price of a slave.
Zec.11:13] And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
Now, both prophecies considering the silver and the potter’s field are written here. Both being related to one another. Back to Mat.26 and verse 16 reads.
Mat.26:16] And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Prophecies are being fulfilled left and right, let’s go to Psalms 41 and verse 9 reads.
Psa.41:9] Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Remember the high priest didn’t want to take Jesus on the Passover for fear of the people. Watch how Jesus works. Back to Mat.26 and verse 17 reads.
Mat.26:17] Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
[18] And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
[19] And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
The LORD always has everything set in order before we can even ask. The disciples found everything as Jesus said it would be. I want to go to 1 Corinthians 5 and verse 6 reads.
1Cor.5:6] Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
A little sin in the congregation (church) spreads throughout the church. Leaven is said here for sin, and he continues.
1Cor.5:7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Christ became our Passover, not our easter. He was sacrificed for the remission of sins. He was the Passover Lamb.
1Cor.5:8] Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
This would become our sacraments, the unleavened bread and the wine (representing his blood). Notice he said keep the feast and not a new “easter”. Back to Mat.26 and verse 20 reads.
Mat.26:20] Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
[21] And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
[22] And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
None of the disciples could believe any of the others could betray Jesus, now self-doubt comes into play.
Mat.26:23] And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
[24] The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Speaking of the shame that he would have to endure.
Mat.26:25] Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Judas has already received the thirty pieces of silver and knows now that Jesus also knows. But, notice Judas partakes of the sacraments with Jesus. This is very important to me, because I think Judas must have volunteered in the first earth age to be this one. Let’s go to Isaiah 6 and verse 8 reads.
Isa.6:8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Back to Mat.26 and verse 26 reads.
Mat.26:26] And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
[27] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
[28] For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Here are the verses we read at Passover. His body, he took the stripes and we get the healing. His blood on the cross, doing away with the blood ordinances because he became the Passover Lamb. For the remission of sins, that on repentance we are forgiven and made anew. We learned in my Topical Teaching, Baptism and to be Baptized that we must be made anew. This is the New Testament, Jesus Christ.
Mat.26:29] But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
Jesus said after this I won’t drink of the vine, meaning wine. It is true that Jesus would be called a Nazarene, but not under the vow of a Nazarene. Meaning he was free to drink wine as he walked with us on earth. I say this because some teach Jesus never drank wine, not true but after this time with his disciples he would not have any more opportunity to do so.
Mat.26:30] And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
It is thought that they sang Psalms, probably Psa.111-113 titled Praise Ye the LORD, but that would just be an educated guess.
Mat.26:31] Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
Here we have Jesus saying it is written. We find it is written in Zechariah 13 and verse 6 reads.
Zec.13:6] And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
Do not overlook “These wounds in thine hands”, they nailed him to the cross.
Zec.13:7] Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
Back to Mat.26 and verse 32 reads.
Mat.26:32] But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Now Peter will overlook what Jesus just said, after I Am risen again and also he said, meet me in Galilee. Let’s never forget he said this here.
Mat.26:33] Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
The mistake that Peter is making is what the Word of God says will happen exactly as it is written. Jesus, the Word of God, just spoke it. This will cause Peter some humiliation, or to be humbled. It will be painful, but never forget it is Peter who Christ will build his church on.
Mat.26:34] Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
[35] Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Not only Peter, but the rest also said they would not deny the LORD. Now if Peter and the other disciples would die with Christ, then how would they be Apostles, which means sent. How would they write the gospels? But let’s remember this is said as an example for you and me. Let’s go to 1Cor.10 and verse 11 reads.
1Cor.10:11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
It happened and is written for you and me to know in these end times. Back to Mat.26 and verse 36 reads.
Mat.26:36] Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
This is written to God’s Elect for understanding, so let’s pay close attention.
Mat.26:37] And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
These sons of Zebedee are James and John, the two brothers he found mending their fishing nets and said come, follow me.
Mat.26:38] Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Watchmen watch, have your eyes open, he is giving this example for you.
Mat.26:39] And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Many people teach that Jesus had a weak moment here. I find that absurd, it could be that they say this in ignorance, or by purposeful deceit, you be the judge. Let’s go to Isaiah 51 and verse 17 reads.
Isa.51:17] Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.
[18] There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up.
[19] These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?
[20] Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.
[21] Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:
[22] Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:
This cup of wrath will be poured out, the LORD has taken it out of the hand of the Savior and determined to pour it out. This is the second advent and it will happen. Also in Jeremiah 25, verse 15 reads.
Jer.25:15] For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.
[16] And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them.
[17] Then took I the cup at the LORD’s hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me:
The cup of wrath will be poured out, it is written. If you want to study more on this, please find time to study on your own. Here is a little help; Isa.51:17-22, Jer.25:15-17, Eze.23:31-33, Zec.12:2, Rev.14:10, Rev.16:19, Rev.17:4, Rev.18:6. Back to Mat.26 and verse 40 reads.
Mat.26:40] And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Pay attention watchmen, here is an example for you. Did you notice he said for one hour? Think of the Hour of Temptation. Which is divided into two half hours. The first is for the first beast (the one world order) the second is for the second beast (the Dragon) Satan.
Mat.26:41] Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
[42] He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
What was different with this prayer? “Except I drink it”, meaning Jesus knows it would go against the Word of God for He is the Word of God. It will not be taken away, it will happen exactly as it is written, fulfilling the Word of God.
Mat.26:43] And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
[44] And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
[45] Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
It wasn’t for his disciples at that time but for his watchmen of the end times, that’s you and me. As for this time, his prayer was answered, the Word of God would come to pass. The prophecy of David would soon come to pass, Psalms 22, he would be crucified.
Mat.26:46] Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
Judas has betrayed me and has brought the enemy.
Mat.26:47] And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
This was not the Roman army, but those that protected the high priest. With sticks and pitch forks these men came.
Mat.26:48] Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
With the kiss of death, Judas betrayed him.
Mat.26:49] And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
[50] And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
[51] And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
The man that drew his sword was Peter, the man whose ear was cut off was Malchus as we learn in John 18:10. Malchus we would find out is related to the high priest Caiaphas. He would also be the third one that would question Peter as he would deny Christ.
Mat.26:52] Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Telling Peter to put away his sword, because it would prevent the Word of God from coming to pass. Let’s go to Rev.13 and verse 9 reads.
Rev.13:9] If any man have an ear, let him hear.
A little ironic, maybe. I jest, but we are speaking to those who have an ear to hear, God’s Elect.
Rev.13:10] He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Has the Lord opened your eyes? In Rev.1:15 he tells us the sword of the Lord is his tongue, and it cuts both ways. It’s the Word of God, it is Truth. Jesus continues in Mat.26 and verse 53 reads.
Mat.26:53] Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Do you not think the LORD would send his angels if it were needed.
Mat.26:54] But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Jesus reminds them that what is written must happen exactly as it is written. His disciples should have known this, that all prophecies must be fulfilled.
Mat.26:55] In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
Saying why didn’t you take me while I was with you in the temple? Remember they feared the people.
Mat.26:56] But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 13 and verse 7 reads.
Zec.13:7] Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
Back to Mat.26 and verse 57 reads.
Mat.26:57] And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
Let’s think about this for a minute, it is unlawful to hold court at night by Hebrew law. And they seem to have everyone at the ready.
Mat.26:58] But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
[59] Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
[60] But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
[61] And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
This is a lie! Jesus said if You destroy this temple he would raise it up again. Jesus was speaking not of the temple, but of his body. They are lying, and let’s remember what God hates, let’s go to Proverbs 6 and verse 16 reads.
Prov.6:16] These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
[17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
[18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
[19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
These false witnesses accused Jesus of saying he would destroy the temple and build it up again in three days. Let’s go to John 2, we find after Jesus had just overturned the tables in the temple, and they wanted to know who gave him this authority. And verse 18 reads.
John 2:18] Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
[19] Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Back to Mat.26 and verse 62 reads.
Mat.26:62] And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
[63] But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
[64] Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Jesus would not answer pertaining to the lies said against him. But, when asked if he was the Son of God, then he answered, you said that and what’s more is there will be a second advent. This would anger the high priest because he knew the scriptures, and this would convict him.
Mat.26:65] Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
[66] What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
What have we need of false witnesses anymore. Knowing they were liars and paid to lie by these people. Now, they think they got Jesus where they want him, the problem is they do not have the authority to kill any man because they are under rule of the Romans. Not to mention they have broken the law of the Hebrews by having council during the night. What we have here are the Kenites ruling in the synagogue, their father was a murderer and they do the will of their father.
Mat.26:67] Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
Here is a little from Psalms 22, the prophecy of his crucifixion, prophesied a thousand years before it ever happened. Psa.22 and verse 16 reads.
Psa.22:16] For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
We will cover that prophecy in length in the next lesson. Back to Mat.26 and verse 68 reads.
Mat.26:68] Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
This angers me so much, but to see the looks on their faces when they had to stand before God would be priceless.
Mat.26:69] Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
This would be rough for Peter, but never doubt the Word of God is our example for today.
Mat.26:70] But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
[71] And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
[72] And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
[73] And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
[74] Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
[75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
I know that hurt Peter, but it was used as an example for God’s Elect today. Never doubt what is written because it will happen exactly as written. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible