1Když Ježíš skončil všechny ty řeči, řekl svým učedníkům: 2»Jak víte, za dva dny jsou velikonoce a Syn člověka bude vydán, aby byl ukřižován.« 3Tehdy se sešli velekněží a starší lidu v paláci velekněze, který se jmenoval Kaifáš, 4a usnesli se, že se Ježíše zmocní lstí a připraví ho o život. 5Řekli však: »Jenom ne o svátcích, aby mezi lidem nedošlo ke vzbouření!« 6Když byl Ježíš v Betánii v domě Šimona Malomocného, 7přistoupila k němu při jídle žena s alabastrovou nádobkou drahocenného oleje a vylila mu ji na hlavu. 8Když to uviděli učedníci, těžce to nesli a říkali: »Nač takové plýtvání? 9Vždyť se to mohlo prodat za drahé peníze a ty se mohly dát chudým.« 10Ježíš si toho všiml a řekl jim: »Proč jste zlí na tuto ženu? Dobrý skutek na mě vykonala. 11Vždyť chudé máte mezi sebou vždycky, mne však vždycky nemáte. 12Když vylila ten olej na mé tělo, udělala to k mému pohřbu. 13Amen, pravím vám: Všude na celém světě, kde bude hlásáno toto evangelium, bude se na její památku vypravovat také o tom, co udělala.« 14Tehdy jeden z Dvanácti - Jidáš Iškariotský - odešel k velekněžím 15a zeptal se jich: »Co mi dáte, když vám ho zradím?« Oni s ním smluvili třicet stříbrných. 16Od té chvíle hledal vhodnou příležitost, aby ho zradil. 17První den o svátcích nekvašeného chleba přistoupili učedníci k Ježíšovi s otázkou: »Kde chceš, abychom ti připravili velikonoční večeři?« 18On řekl: »Jděte do města k jistému člověku a vyřiďte mu, že Mistr vzkazuje: Můj čas je blízko; budu u tebe se svými učedníky slavit velikonoční večeři.« 19Učedníci udělali, jak jim Ježíš nařídil, a připravili velikonočního beránka. 20Když nastal večer, zaujal místo u stolu s Dvanácti. 21Při jídle jim řekl: »Amen, pravím vám: Jeden z vás mě zradí.« 22Velmi se zarmoutili a začali mu říkat jeden přes druhého: »Jsem to snad já, Pane?« 23Odpověděl: »Kdo si se mnou namáčí rukou v míse, ten mě zradí. 24Syn člověka sice odchází, jak je o něm psáno, ale běda tomu člověku, který Syna člověka zradí. Pro toho člověka by bylo lépe, kdyby se nebyl narodil.« 25Také Jidáš, který ho chtěl zradit, se zeptal: »Jsem to snad já, Mistře?« Odpověděl mu: »Tys to řekl.« 26Když jedli, Ježíš vzal chléb, požehnal ho, lámal a dával ho svým učedníkům se slovy: »Vezměte, jezte. To je mé tělo.« 27Potom vzal kalich, vzdal díky, podal jim ho a řekl: »Pijte z něho všichni. 28Neboť to je má krev nové smlouvy, která se prolévá za všechny na odpuštění hříchů. 29Pravím vám: Od této chvíle už nikdy nebudu pít z tohoto plodu révy až do toho dne, kdy z nového plodu budu pít s vámi v království svého Otce.« 30Potom zazpívali chvalozpěv a vyšli na Olivovou horu. 31Tehdy jim Ježíš řekl: »Vy všichni se dnes v noci nade mnou pohoršíte, neboť je psáno: 'Budu bít pastýře a ovce ze stáda se rozprchnou.' 32Ale po svém vzkříšení vás předejdu do Galileje.« 33Petr mu na to řekl: »Kdyby se všichni nad tebou pohoršili, já se nikdy nepohorším!« Ježíš mu odpověděl: 34Amen, pravím ti: Dnes v noci, dříve než kohout zakokrhá, třikrát mě zapřeš.« 35Petr mu však tvrdil: »I kdybych měl s tebou jít na smrt, nezapřu tě!« Podobně mluvili i všichni ostatní učedníci. 36Potom s nimi šel Ježíš na venkovský dvorec zvaný Getsemany a řekl učedníkům: »Poseďte tady, zatímco se půjdu tamhle pomodlit.« 37Petra a dva Zebedeovy syny vzal s sebou. Pak se ho zmocnil smutek a úzkost. 38Řekl jim: »Má duše je smutná až k smrti, zůstaňte zde a bděte se mnou!« 39Trochu poodešel, padl tváří k zemi a modlil se: »Otče můj, jestliže je to možné, ať mě mine tento kalich; avšak ne jak já chci, ale jak ty chceš.« 40Potom se vrátil k učedníkům a našel je, jak spí. Řekl Petrovi: »To jste nemohli ani jednu hodinu se mnou bdít? 41Bděte a modlete se, abyste nepřišli do pokušení. Duch je sice ochotný, ale tělo je slabé.« 42Odešel podruhé a modlil se: »Otče můj, nemůže-li mě tento kalich minout a musím ho vypít, ať se stane tvá vůle.« 43Znovu se vrátil a našel je, jak spí, protože se jim únavou zavíraly oči. 44Nechal je, opět odešel a modlil se potřetí stejnými slovy. 45Potom se vrátil k učedníkům a řekl jim: »Jen spěte a odpočívejte dál! - Už je tady ta hodina: teď bude Syn člověka vydán do rukou hříšníků. 46Vstaňte, půjdeme! Hle, už je tady můj zrádce.« 47Když ještě mluvil, přišel Jidáš, jeden ze Dvanácti, a s ním velký houf s meči a kyji, jak je poslali velekněží a starší lidu. 48Jeho zrádce s nimi smluvil znamení: »Koho políbím, ten to je; toho se chopte.« 49A hned přistoupil k Ježíšovi a řekl: »Buď zdráv, Mistře!« a políbil ho. 50Ježíš mu odpověděl: »Příteli, učiň jen, k čemu jsi přišel.« Lidé z houfu přistoupili, vztáhli ruce na Ježíše a zmocnili se ho. 51Vtom jeden z těch, kdo byli s Ježíšem, sáhl po meči, vytasil ho, udeřil veleknězova služebníka a uťal mu ucho. 52Ježíš mu však řekl: »Zastrč svůj meč tam, kam patří. Každý, kdo sahá po meči, mečem zahyne. 53Anebo myslíš, že by mi můj Otec neposlal ihned víc jak dvanáct pluků andělů, kdybych ho o to poprosil? 54Ale jak by se potom splnily výroky Písma, že se tak musí stát?« 55V té chvíli řekl Ježíš onomu houfu: »Jako na zločince jste vytáhli s meči a kyji, abyste mě zatkli? Sedával jsem den co den v chrámě a učil, a nezmocnili jste se mě. 56To všechno se však stalo, aby se splnily výroky Písma u proroků.« Tu jej všichni učedníci opustili a utekli. 57Ti, kdo se Ježíše zmocnili, vedli ho k veleknězi Kaifášovi, kde se shromáždili učitelé Zákona a starší. 58Petr šel zpovzdálí za ním až k veleknězovu dvoru. Vešel dovnitř a sedl si k služebníkům, aby viděl, jak to skončí. 59Velekněží a celá velerada hledali proti Ježíšovi lživé svědectví, aby ho mohli odsoudit na smrt, 60ale nenašli, třebaže se dostavilo mnoho falešných svědků. Nakonec přišli dva 61a řekli: »On prohlásil: Mohu zbořit Boží chrám a ve třech dnech ho zase vystavět.« 62Velekněz povstal a zeptal se ho: »Nic neodpovídáš na to, co tito lidé proti tobě vypovídají?« 63Ježíš však mlčel. Tu mu velekněz řekl: »Zapřísahám tě při živém Bohu, abys nám řekl, zdali jsi Mesiáš, syn Boží!« 64Ježíš mu odpověděl: »Tys to řekl. Ale říkám vám: Od této chvíle uvidíte Syna člověka, jak sedí po pravici Všemohoucího a jak přichází v nebeských oblacích.« 65Tu roztrhl velekněz své roucho a řekl: »Rouhal se! Nač ještě potřebujeme svědky? Právě jste sami slyšeli rouhání. 66Co o tom soudíte?« Odpověděli: »Hoden je smrti.« 67Pak mu plivali do tváře a tloukli ho pěstmi; někteří ho bili do tváře 68a říkali: »Když jsi prorok, pověz nám, Mesiáši, kdo tě to udeřil!« 69Petr mezitím seděl venku na dvoře. Tu k němu přistoupila jedna služka a tvrdila: »Tys byl také s tím Galilejcem Ježíšem.« 70Ale on to přede všemi zapřel: »Nevím, co povídáš.« 71Když odešel k chodbě u brány, uviděla ho jiná služka a řekla těm, kdo tam byli: »Tady ten byl s tím nazaretským Ježíšem.« 72Ale zase to zapřel, a to pod přísahou: »Toho člověka vůbec neznám!« 73Za chvilku přistoupili ti, kdo tam stáli, a řekli Petrovi: »Opravdu, i ty k nim patříš. Vždyť už tvé nářečí tě prozrazuje. 74Tu se začal zaklínat a zapřísahat: »Neznám toho člověka!« Hned nato zakokrhal kohout 75a Petr si vzpomněl na slova, která Ježíš řekl: »Dříve než kohout zakokrhá, třikrát mě zapřeš.« A vyšel ven a hořce se rozplakal.
Matthew Henry - Concise Commentary 1 Our Lord had often told of his sufferings as at a distance, now he speaks of them as at hand. At the same time the Jewish council consulted how they might put him to death secretly. But it pleased God to defeat their intention. Jesus, the true paschal Lamb, was to be sacrificed for us at that very time, and his death and resurrection rendered public.
6 The pouring ointment upon the head of Christ was a token of the highest respect. Where there is true love in the heart to Jesus Christ, nothing will be thought too good to bestow upon him. The more Christ's servants and their services are cavilled at, the more he manifests his acceptance. This act of faith and love was so remarkable, that it would be reported, as a memorial of Mary's faith and love, to all future ages, and in all places where the gospel should be preached. This prophecy is fulfilled.
14 There were but twelve called apostles, and one of them was like a devil; surely we must never expect any society to be quite pure on this side heaven. The greater profession men make of religion, the greater opportunity they have of doing mischief, if their hearts be not right with God. Observe, that Christ's own disciple, who knew so well his doctrine and manner of his life, and was false to him, could not charge him with any thing criminal, though it would have served to justify his treachery. What did Judas want? Was not he welcome wherever his Master was? Did he not fare as Christ fared? It is not the lack, but the love of money, that is the root of all evil. After he had made that wicked bargain, Judas had time to repent, and to revoke it; but when lesser acts of dishonesty have hardened the conscience men do without hesitation that which is more shameful.
17 Observe, the place for their eating the passover was pointed out by Christ to the disciples. He knows those hidden ones who favour his cause, and will graciously visit all who are willing to receive him. The disciples did as Jesus had appointed. Those who would have Christ's presence in the gospel passover, must do what he says. It well becomes the disciples of Christ always to be jealous over themselves, especially in trying times. We know not how strongly we may be tempted, nor how far God may leave us to ourselves, therefore we have reason not to be high-minded, but to fear. Heart-searching examination and fervent prayer are especially proper before the Lord's supper, that, as Christ our Passover is now sacrificed for us, we may keep this feast, renewing our repentance, our faith in his blood, and surrendering ourselves to his service.
26 This ordinance of the Lord's supper is to us the passover supper, by which we commemorate a much greater deliverance than that of Israel out of Egypt. Take, eat; accept of Christ as he is offered to you; receive the atonement, approve of it, submit to his grace and his government. Meat looked upon, be the dish ever so well garnished, will not nourish; it must be fed upon: so must the doctrine of Christ. This is my body; that is, spiritually, it signifies and represents his body. We partake of the sun, not by having the sun put into our hands, but the beams of it darted down upon us; so we partake of Christ by partaking of his grace, and the blessed fruits of the breaking of his body. The blood of Christ is signified and represented by the wine. He gave thanks, to teach us to look to God in every part of the ordinance. This cup he gave to the disciples with a command, Drink ye all of it. The pardon of sin is that great blessing which is, in the Lord's supper, conferred on all true believers; it is the foundation of all other blessings. He takes leave of such communion; and assures them of a happy meeting again at last; Until that day when I drink it new with you , may be understood of the joys and glories of the future state, which the saints shall partake with the Lord Jesus. That will be the kingdom of his Father; the wine of consolation will there be always new. While we look at the outward signs of Christ's body broken and his blood shed for the remission of our sins, let us recollect that the feast cost him as much as though he had literally given his flesh to be eaten and his blood for us to drink.
31 Improper self-confidence, like that of Peter, is the first step to a fall. There is a proneness in all of us to be over-confident. But those fall soonest and foulest, who are the most confident in themselves. Those are least safe, who think themselves most secure. Satan is active to lead such astray; they are most off their guard: God leaves them to themselves, to humble them.
36 He who made atonement for the sins of mankind, submitted himself in a garden of suffering, to the will of God, from which man had revolted in a garden of pleasure. Christ took with him into that part of the garden where he suffered his agony, only those who had witnessed his glory in his transfiguration. Those are best prepared to suffer with Christ, who have by faith beheld his glory. The words used denote the most entire dejection, amazement, anguish, and horror of mind; the state of one surrounded with sorrows, overwhelmed with miseries, and almost swallowed up with terror and dismay. He now began to be sorrowful, and never ceased to be so till he said, It is finished. He prayed that, if possible, the cup might pass from him. But he also showed his perfect readiness to bear the load of his sufferings; he was willing to submit to all for our redemption and salvation. According to this example of Christ, we must drink of the bitterest cup which God puts into our hands; though nature struggle, it must submit. It should be more our care to get troubles sanctified, and our hearts satisfied under them, than to get them taken away. It is well for us that our salvation is in the hand of One who neither slumbers nor sleeps. All are tempted, but we should be much afraid of entering into temptation. To be secured from this, we should watch and pray, and continually look unto the Lord to hold us up that we may be safe. Doubtless our Lord had a clear and full view of the sufferings he was to endure, yet he spoke with the greatest calmness till this time. Christ was a Surety, who undertook to be answerable for our sins. Accordingly he was made sin for us, and suffered for our sins, the Just for the unjust; and Scripture ascribes his heaviest sufferings to the hand of God. He had full knowledge of the infinite evil of sin, and of the immense extent of that guilt for which he was to atone; with awful views of the Divine justice and holiness, and the punishment deserved by the sins of men, such as no tongue can express, or mind conceive. At the same time, Christ suffered being tempted; probably horrible thoughts were suggested by Satan that tended to gloom and every dreadful conclusion: these would be the more hard to bear from his perfect holiness. And did the load of imputed guilt so weigh down the soul of Him of whom it is said, He upholdeth all things by the word of his power? into what misery then must those sink whose sins are left upon their own heads! How will those escape who neglect so great salvation?
47 No enemies are so much to be abhorred as those professed disciples that betray Christ with a kiss. God has no need of our services, much less of our sins, to bring about his purposes. Though Christ was crucified through weakness, it was voluntary weakness; he submitted to death. If he had not been willing to suffer, they could not conquer him. It was a great sin for those who had left all to follow Jesus; now to leave him for they knew not what. What folly, for fear of death to flee from Him, whom they knew and acknowledged to be the Fountain of life!
57 Jesus was hurried into Jerusalem. It looks ill, and bodes worse, when those who are willing to be Christ's disciples, are not willing to be known to be so. Here began Peter's denying him: for to follow Christ afar off, is to begin to go back from him. It is more our concern to prepare for the end, whatever it may be, than curiously to ask what the end will be. The event is God's, but the duty is ours. Now the Scriptures were fulfilled, which said, False witnesses are risen up against me. Christ was accused, that we might not be condemned; and if at any time we suffer thus, let us remember we cannot expect to fare better than our Master. When Christ was made sin for us, he was silent, and left it to his blood to speak. Hitherto Jesus had seldom professed expressly to be the Christ, the Son of God; the tenor of his doctrine spoke it, and his miracles proved it; but now he would not omit to make an open confession of it. It would have looked like declining his sufferings. He thus confessed, as an example and encouragement to his followers, to confess him before men, whatever hazard they ran. Disdain, cruel mocking, and abhorrence, are the sure portion of the disciple as they were of the Master, from such as would buffet and deride the Lord of glory. These things were exactly foretold in the fiftieth chapter of Isaiah. Let us confess Christ's name, and bear the reproach, and he will confess us before his Father's throne.
69 Peter's sin is truly related, for the Scriptures deal faithfully. Bad company leads to sin: those who needlessly thrust themselves into it, may expect to be tempted and insnared, as Peter. They scarcely can come out of such company without guilt or grief, or both. It is a great fault to be shy of Christ; and to dissemble our knowledge of him, when we are called to own him, is, in effect, to deny him. Peter's sin was aggravated; but he fell into the sin by surprise, not as Judas, with design. But conscience should be to us as the crowing of the cock, to put us in mind of the sins we had forgotten. Peter was thus left to fall, to abate his self-confidence, and render him more modest, humble, compassionate, and useful to others. The event has taught believers many things ever since, and if infidels, Pharisees, and hypocrites stumble at it or abuse it, it is at their peril. Little do we know how we should act in very difficult situations, if we were left to ourselves. Let him, therefore, that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall; let us all distrust our own hearts, and rely wholly on the Lord. Peter wept bitterly. Sorrow for sin must not be slight, but great and deep. Peter, who wept so bitterly for denying Christ, never denied him again, but confessed him often in the face of danger. True repentance for any sin will be shown by the contrary grace and duty; that is a sign of our sorrowing not only bitterly, but sincerely.