Matthew 26 - The Passion Begins

v.2: The timing of these events is difficult. Tradition calls for a Friday Crucifixion, but (I think) Scripture actually presses us more toward Thursday. [This link illustrates the complexity of the dating issue. It provides the traditional viewpoint and the alternative. Based on Leviticus 23:5-8 and Matthew 26:17, I  am not sure I agree with their assignment of dates in the second chart.]

Matthew 12:40: "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

Matthew 28:1: "Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb."

John 20:2: "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb."

Only Thursday allow 3 days and 3 nights. Jesus here (Matthew 26:2) says the Passover is "after" two days, which is a little helpful: Sunday = Triumphal Entry (ch. 21:1); Sunday Night (21:17); Monday (21:18 ["Now in the morning..."] > 22:23 ["The same day..."] > 24:1 ["Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple..."] > 26:1 ["...when Jesus had finished all these sayings..."].

That makes this [26:1-13 (maybe  > 16)] Monday night according to Matthew. So, after 2 days (Tuesday and Wednesday) comes Thursday (Wed. PM). Therefore, the Passover is actually at Twilight on Wednesday (26:17; cf. Leviticus 23:5) followed by a day of "no customary work" (Leviticus 23:7) [Leviticus 23:5-8].

There are some other interesting observations we can make in this chapter:

v.6-16: Judas is motivated to betray Jesus by the woman's "waste" of her fragrant oil.

v.17: The Lord's Supper occurs on the 1st Day of the 7 day Feast (cf. Exodus 12:18).

v.20: Jesus apparently dined only with the 12. [At least only the 12 were at His table.]

v.35: "All the disciples" made Peter's promise not to betray Jesus.

v.47: The guards who arrested Jesus were not Romans.

v.58 (& v.3): Caiaphas lived in a palace.

v.65: The high priest sinned by tearing his clothes (cf. Leviticus 21:10).

v. 68: The scribes and elders who abused Jesus identified him as "Christ".

26:1 & 27:1: Everything in chapter 26 happens on the same night as the Lord's Supper.

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