Matthew 26:47–56: Fulfilling the Scriptures
Introduction
In Gethsemane, Jesus poured out his anguished soul before his Father in heaven. In doing so, he relinquished the fears flowing from his human will as his Father supplied the supernatural strength of the Holy Spirit to empower Jesus for the path ahead. Jesus, having strengthened himself through prayer, is now prepared for the betrayal of Judas, his arrest, and the crucifixion that will follow. In this scene where Jesus is betrayed by Judas, arrested by the authorities, and denied by his disciples, we see the magnificent restrained power of Jesus. Out of all that happens to Jesus, nothing is beyond his control, and he refuses nothing that his Father has set out for him. Here, we see that Jesus laid down his life as one both in authority and under authority.
Discussion Questions
1. How much time did Jesus have to spare between finishing praying and the arrival of Judas (v. 47a)? What had Jesus been “speaking” when Judas arrived (v. 47b; see Matt. 26:45–46)? What does the description, “one of the twelve,” suggest (v. 47c)? What does Matthew tell us of Judas’s treachery (v. 48–49)? What should we make of Jesus’ response to Judas (v. 50)? In all this, did anything catch Jesus off guard? Did anyone overpower Jesus? If not, then what happened here?
2. What kind of authority does Jesus possess for his disciples to jump into action, fighting to defend their Lord (v. 51)? Why does Jesus use his authority to command his disciples to stop fighting in his defense (v. 52)? What does Jesus’ authority to command twelve legions of angels tell us about the nature of this scenario as a whole (v. 53)? What should we understand from Jesus’ statement that he is under the authority of the Scriptures (v. 54)?
3. Jesus observes that the crowd never tried to arrest him when he was in public (v. 55). What prevented the religious leaders from laying hands on Jesus then (Matt. 21:46)? Why does this mob not fear to arrest Jesus now? When the disciples flee, what do they fear (v. 56b)? In the light of the fears of the mob and of the disciples, what should we learn from Jesus’ repeated statement that he is acting under the authority of the Scriptures?
4. How does this passage contrast the authority of Jesus and his being under the authority of the Scriptures? Why did Jesus voluntarily come under submission to his Father’s will, as expressed in the Scriptures? What role did his love for his people play in what he did? How does this story teach us of the power and love of Jesus over our own lives? What strength should we draw in the midst of our own suffering from Jesus’ voluntarily suffering for us?
