Outline of Matthew 25-26 (Not original with me)

This starts with what we left off with last week. Once again, this is from the website www.founders.org.

Three parables concerning preparedness for the Lord’s return (24:45-25:30): the Parable of the Wise Steward, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, and the Parable of the Talents. Each of these little stories illustrates Jesus’ point about the blessedness of being prepared for his Second coming and the foolishness of being unprepared.

D. The Final Judgment (25:32-46): When the Lord comes in his glory, he will effect a great separation among the inhabitants of the world. Like a shepherd separating sheep and goats, Jesus will divide the righteous and the wicked. The sheep, separated to the right (the position of honor and blessing), will b distinguished by their service to Christ through concrete ministry of compassion on the poor and hungry, and the goats, separated on the left will be marked by their disregard for the broken and needy. The righteous will enter into eternal life and the wicked will be consigned to eternal punishment.

I. Events Leading to the Crucifixion of Jesus (26:1-27:31)

A. The conspiracy of the religious leaders (26:1-5): All four Gospels reveal that this conspiracy intensified over a lengthy period, but, of course, the plot came to a crescendo during Passion Week. These were not genuinely misguided men. The text indicates that they knew exactly what they were doing, and they strategized stealthfully to carry out their sinister plan at an opportune moment.

B. The anointing of Jesus at Bethany (26:6-13): Three gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, and John record this story. A devoted disciple of Jesus, a woman named Mary, approached Jesus as he ate the evening meal in the house of a Simon the Leper. John tells us that Martha and Lazarus, Jesus’ old friends, helped host the gathering. I appears that the Mary mentioned in John’s account was the sister of these siblings from Bethany. A. T. Robertson argued persuasively that Bible students should not confuse this story with the narrative in Luke 7:36-50. The disciples responded poorly to the worshipful act Mary. They grew indignant and criticized Mary for her devoted extravagance toward the Master (John points out the central role Judas played in this criticism). Jesus, however, met their disapproval with a firm commendation of Mary’s memorable act, an act that symbolized the impending death of the Savior.

C. Jesus’ observance of the Passover with the disciples (26:14-35)

1. the plot of Judas (vv. 14-16): Judas, stung by Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples’ criticism of Mary, conspired with the Jewish leaders to betray Jesus into their hands. John pointedly mentioned that Satan entered Judas as he carried out his unthinkable scheme.

2. the observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (vv. 17-29): Traditionally, the Jews observed a special meal on the evening before Passover, and Jesus appears to combine the two observances. As the disciples ate the meal, Jesus tacitly identified Judas as his betrayer; then, the Lord instituted the eucharist (New Testament term for the thanksgiving meal--see I Corinthians 11:24), and enjoined a commemorative ordinance still observed by God’s people today.

3. Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial (vv. 30-35): As Jesus’ and his disciples walked to the Mount of Olives, the Lord predicted that his followers would abandon him, in his hour of trail. Peter, impetuous as always, bristled at the Lord’s words, and Jesus observed that the impulsive disciple would deny the Master three times.

D. Jesus’ Prayer in Gethsemane and Betrayal by Judas (26:36-56)

1. Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane (vv. 36-46): The Lord prepared for his passion through prayer. The disciples accompanied the master to Gethsemane, but, oblivious to the impending crisis, they fell asleep as Jesus prayed. Peter, James, and John followed Jesus to a secluded place, but they dozed as the Savior agonized. We do not know how the drowsy disciples knew the content of Jesus’ prayer, but all three Synoptic Gospels record the Lord’s words. The weight of a world of sin pressed upon him, and he asked that the cup of God’s wrath might pass from him; nevertheless, he submitted to the Father’s sovereign design. This passage gives some insight into the mysteries of the Lord’s humanity and deity.

2. Judas’ betrayal of Jesus (vv. 47-56): As previously arranged, Judas betrayed the Lord by a kiss. One of the disciples (John identifies Peter) drew a sword and struck off the ear of the high priest’s servant (John says his name was Malchus). The Lord, pf course, rebuked Peter for his violent act and reminded the violent disciple that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. Matthew pointed out that a large crowd of armed men came to arrest him, and, in the face of this intimidating circumstance, the disciples ran away.

E. Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas (26:57-68): The men who arrested the Lord took him to the high priest, and the religious authorities produced false witnesses who brought spurious charges against Jesus. Finally, Caiaphas asked Jesus about his identity, and Jesus answered with an unmistakable claim of deity. The high priest, outraged at Jesus’ response, pronounced Jesus guilty and deserving of death on the charge of blasphemy. The religious leaders spat on the Lord and mocked him.

F. Peter’s denial of Jesus (26:69-75): As Jesus predicted, Peter three times denied his connection with the Lord, the last denial in the form of an oath. Peter, broken by his weakness, wept bitterly.