A lot happens in this passage of Scripture. Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is betrayed by Judas and is arrested. Then, He is presented before Caiaphas, the High Priest, and the Sanhedrin. And, finally Peter denies knowing Jesus three times. The plot arch follows Peter in these 35 verses. Let’s take a look at three aspects of this passage that deal with the theme of the ‘flesh.’
First, Jesus is getting “prayed-up” If we are to imitate Christ, one habit he had that we should seek to emulate is His prayer life. Jesus was always escaping to pray for long periods of time. When you pray something supernatural happens. And, no one can stop you from praying. So why don’t we pray more than we do? In verses 36—46, Jesus is basically praying through the night. The other apostles keep falling asleep when he asked them to stay awake with him. The answer is in verse 41—"the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” What does that mean?
The flesh, here, is Strong's, G4563, σάρξ sárx. This can mean literally the body. It also means the nature of humankind apart from divine influence, prone to sin and opposed to God. It’s the part of our nature that makes us sinners. It’s relying our the “self” instead of God. It’s a reason why we need to be saved. In this context, “flesh” could have either meaning or both. So, we don’t pray as much as we could because of the weariness our bodies and our natural tendency to do our own thing. Also of note, Jesus asks the disciples to pray so they “may not enter into temptation.” Prayer keeps us out of sinful trouble. So, pray often, long, and powerfully.
This makes one wonder, “if Peter had prayed with Jesus in the garden instead of sleeping, could he have mustered the spiritual strength to NOT denial Jesus later in verses 69—75.
Second, this bring us to Jesus’ betrayal by Judas. As humans, we have a sin nature. We sin because we are sinners. Here, Judas is trying to save himself by being bought to had over Jesus. Whenever we rely on ourselves in instead of God, we sin. In a way, it’s betrayal. It’s that simple. Rely on God, not ourselves.
Finally, Peter’s 3 denials reminds us of our ‘flesh.’ Peter’s denial is born of his over-self confidence. Peter says, “I will never fall away” and “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” Those that are least safe are those that think they are the most secure. After making this state, Peter and the apostles fall asleep twice when they should have been praying. Peter’s denials don’t come to the next day. But, he fails Christ soon after his “I will” statements by sleeping. Peter’s denials in verses 69—75 remind us that we can’t save ourselves. Peter’s trying to save himself by denying he knows Christ. We need a savior.
As you go about your day, stay prayed-up, rely on God, and act with humility.
Matthew 26.30-75
30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
31 Then Jesus *said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.
The Garden of Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”
39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then He *came to the disciples and *said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”
Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest
47 While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” 49 Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.
51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus *said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”
55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. 56 But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.
Jesus before Caiaphas
57 Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58 But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.
59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60 They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it [k]in three days.’” 62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus *said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66 what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!”
67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?”
Peter’s Denials
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and *said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73 A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ What caused the aposltes to sleep in the garden? [v41]
+ What was Judas relying-upon? [v47—54]
+ What caused Peter to deny Jesus? [v31—35, 69—75]
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ How can you increase the quantity and improve the quality of your prayer life? [v41]
+ How can you start relying on God before relying on yourself? [v47—54]
+ How can you practice humility in your walk today? Make a plan. [v31—35, 69—75]
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?
+ Who can you start praying with on a daily basis? [v41] + What relationship of yours requires you to rely on God in order for it to be peaceful? Identify that relationship[s] and start relying on God for it’s health. [v47—54]
+ Who do you need to show more humility towards? [v31—35, 69—75]
STUDY GUIDE [ WWW.ESV.ORG ]
+ Matt. 26:30 hymn. Perhaps Psalms 113–118, or Psalm 136.
+ Matt. 26:34 rooster crows. Marking the sunrise.
+ Matt. 26:39 fell on his face. In this typical posture of complete humility in prayer, Jesus lays his life before his Father. He prepares to accomplish his life’s mission—to bear the sins of the world—which is what this cup signifies. See note on 20:22–23.
+ Matt. 26:41 Their temptation was to sleep and thus to fail in their responsibility to support Jesus. It may also refer to the temptation to deny Jesus when he is led away to the cross (see vv. 31–35).
+ Matt. 26:47 one of the twelve. See note on v. 14. The great crowd included Roman soldiers assigned to the temple for security, carrying swords, and temple police and personal guards of the chief priests and Sanhedrin (elders), carrying clubs.
+ Matt. 26:48 kiss. A customary way for friends in ancient Israel to greet one another now becomes the means of betrayal.
+ Matt. 26:49 Rabbi. See note on v. 25.
+ Matt. 26:50 When Jesus addresses Judas as Friend, he uses a word meaning “acquaintance,” rather than a word implying closeness or affection.
+ Matt. 26:51 one of those who were with Jesus. Simon Peter (see John 18:10–11). servant of the high priest. Malchus (see John 18:10).
+ Matt. 26:53 twelve legions. 72,000 soldiers. A Roman legion at full strength had 6,000 soldiers.
+ Matt. 26:56 Compare Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Zechariah 12–13.
+ Matt. 26:57–58 The headquarters of Caiaphas the high priest was likely a mansion, probably on the eastern slope of Jerusalem, overlooking the temple area.
+ Matt. 26:59 The whole council (the “Sanhedrin”) need not include all 70 members of the highest court of the Jews. It may indicate only those hastily assembled in the middle of the night (23 members made a quorum). The Romans were ultimately in control of all judicial proceedings, but they allowed their subjects some freedom to try their own cases.
+ Matt. 26:61–62 I am able to destroy the temple of God. Jesus’ opponents misquoted this saying and took it out of context (see John 2:19–21).
+ Matt. 26:63 Jesus is silent, fulfilling Isa. 53:7 and making his accusers responsible for his death. tell us if you are the Christ. Caiaphas wants Jesus to admit to this charge so that he can be accused of rebellion against Rome and be tried before Pilate.
+ Matt. 26:64 You have said so. See note on v. 25. Jesus declares that he is not only the human Messiah anticipated by the Jews but also the divine Son of Man (see Dan. 7:13–14; note on Matt. 8:20) who sits at the right hand of God (Ps. 110:1–2).
+ Matt. 26:65 tore his robes. Such an action was normally prohibited for the high priest (Lev. 10:6; 21:10), but Jesus’ astounding claim causes a strong response. blasphemy. Because Jesus claims divine status as the Son of Man.
+ Matt. 26:66 If Jesus is lying by claiming to be divine, then indeed he deserves death according to Jewish law (see Lev. 24:10–23). The irony is that he will be executed for telling the truth.
+ Matt. 26:71–72 oath. See 5:33–37.
+ Matt. 26:73 All of Jesus’ disciples except Judas were from Galilee. Judeans looked down on Galileans because of their regional accent.
+ Matt. 26:74 curse . . . swear. Most likely calling upon God’s wrath to strike him if he is lying.
+ Theme Matthew tells the story of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-expected Messiah who brought the kingdom of God to earth.
+ Purpose Matthew writes his Gospel to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah, that he has the right to the throne of David as Israel’s true King, and that he is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would be a blessing to all the world (1:1; Gen. 12:1–3). Matthew seeks to encourage Jewish Christians (and all future disciples) to stand strong despite opposition. They should feel secure in the knowledge of their citizenship in God’s kingdom. Matthew shows that Gentiles also can find