We cannot fathom the secret thoughts of the traitor. Did he hope that his act would compel Christ to take the course of self-vindication, which His mighty acts appeared to make possible? It seems unthinkable that there was not some explanation other than mere greed! Yet, when we look into our own hearts, can we be altogether surprised? How often have we betrayed the Lord by our reticence, when we should have spoken; by the kiss of the lip, when we were selfishly exploiting our association with Him to our own advantage!
Our Lord did not die a martyr's death. The martyr is led to the scaffold or stake because he is overpowered by superior force. But our Lord knew that the invisible world was full of help if only He had expressed the slightest wish. Others die because they are born; He was born that He might die. "He laid down His life that He might take it again." He would not receive help from the Father, or the angels, or Peter's sword, but poured out His soul unto death, because of a love that was stronger than death. See 1 Peter 2:21, etc. [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 26
1Jesus foretells his own death 3The rulers conspire against him 6The woman anoints his feet 14Judas bargains to betray him 17Jesus eats the Passover; 26institutes his holy supper; 30foretells the desertion of his disciples, and Peter's denial; 36prays in the garden; 47and being betrayed by a kiss, 57is carried to Caiaphas, 69and denied by Peter
Greek Commentary for Matthew 26:54
Must be [δει] Jesus sees clearly his destiny now that he has won the victory in Gethsemane. [source]
John 20:9For [γαρ] Explanatory use of γαρ gar The Scripture Probably Psalm 16:10. Jesus had repeatedly foretold his resurrection, but that was all forgotten in the great sorrow on their hearts. Only the chief priests and Pharisees recalled the words of Jesus (Matthew 27:62.). Must For this use of δει dei concerning Christ‘s death and resurrection see Mark 8:31; Matthew 26:54; Luke 9:22; Luke 17:25; Luke 22:37; Luke 24:7,Luke 24:26,Luke 24:44; John 3:14; John 12:34; Acts 1:16. Jesus had put emphasis on both the fact and the necessity of his resurrection which the disciples slowly perceived. [source]
Greek Commentary for Matthew 26:54
Jesus sees clearly his destiny now that he has won the victory in Gethsemane. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 26:54
Lit., it is necessary, or it behoves. A word often used by Jesus concerning his own appointed work, and expressing both the inevitable fulfilment of the divine counsels and the absolute constraint of the principle of duty upon himself. See Matthew 16:21; Matthew 26:54; Mark 8:31; Luke 4:43; Luke 9:22; Luke 13:33; Luke 24:7, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:46; John 3:14; John 4:4; John 12:34. [source]
Must signifies the eternal necessity in the divine counsels. Compare Luke 24:26, Luke 24:46; Matthew 26:54; Mark 8:31; John 12:34. [source]
On this necessity attaching in the divine counsel to the sufferings, death, and resurrection of Jesus, see Matthew 26:54; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22; Luke 17:25; Luke 22:37; Luke 24:7, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:44; John 3:14; John 12:34; Acts 1:16. [source]
Explanatory use of γαρ gar The Scripture Probably Psalm 16:10. Jesus had repeatedly foretold his resurrection, but that was all forgotten in the great sorrow on their hearts. Only the chief priests and Pharisees recalled the words of Jesus (Matthew 27:62.). Must For this use of δει dei concerning Christ‘s death and resurrection see Mark 8:31; Matthew 26:54; Luke 9:22; Luke 17:25; Luke 22:37; Luke 24:7, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:44; John 3:14; John 12:34; Acts 1:16. Jesus had put emphasis on both the fact and the necessity of his resurrection which the disciples slowly perceived. [source]
Lit. having been offered once for all. Note the passive in contrast with offer himself, Hebrews 9:25. He was appointed to die as truly as we. Comp. Luke 24:26; Matthew 26:53, Matthew 26:54; Psalm 40:7, Psalm 40:8. [source]