Matthew 26:17-25
At the Passover table, Jesus shows that His death is no accident and that hidden betrayal cannot remain hidden before the King.
17 Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”
18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.” ’ ”
19 The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.
21 As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”
22 They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?”
23 He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me.
24 The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”
25 Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.”
At the Passover table, Jesus shows that his death is no accident and that hidden betrayal cannot remain hidden before the King.
Matthew presents Jesus sovereignly directing the Passover preparation and then exposing the betrayer at the table before interpreting his death in covenant terms in the following unit.
Jerusalem during the Passover and Festival of Unleavened Bread, immediately before Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. The passage stands at the threshold of Jesus' death, where the Passover context prepares for Jesus' own interpretation of his blood as covenant blood poured out for many for forgiveness.
The Betrayal, Passover, Gethsemane, Trial, and Denial of Jesus
Jesus willingly enters betrayal, abandonment, false judgment, and death as the obedient Son who fulfills Scripture, gives his body, pours out his covenant blood for the forgiveness of sins, and submits to the Father’s will while his disciples fail and his enemies condemn him.