Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
CLASS TWENTY-SEVEN: The First Lord’s Supper / Jesus Betrayed
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. READ / LISTEN to MATTHEW 26:1–75
a. What are your initial impressions or questions? Notable translation differences?
III. The Plot to Kill Jesus (vv. 1-5)
a. (vv. 1-2) This ends the fifth and final discourse. Each discourse ends with a similar summary statement. (7:28-29; 11:1; 13:58; 19:1-2; 26:1-2)
b. Matthew 26-27 is the culmination of Jesus’ motive from Matthew 16:21.
c. Caiaphas was high priest from AD 18 – 36/37. Annas had been high-priest from AD 6 - 15, and was the father-in-law of Caiaphas (John 18:13). Annas continued to exercise a significant influence over Jewish affairs.
d. Why did the chief priests and elders want to avoid a riot?
IV. Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany (vv. 6-16)
a. (vs. 6) Apparently, Jesus had previously healed Simon of Leprosy because he couldn’t otherwise be among people.
b. (vs. 7) Mark does not name this woman either but John (12:3) reveals her as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Also, Mark (14:5) and John (12:5) reveal the value of the oil (300 denarii = a year’s wages). John also tells us there was a pound of it in the jar (12:3). Matthew and Mark report that she anointed Jesus’ head, while John (12:3) reports that she anointed His feet and wiped it with her hair.
c. This is not the same event recorded in Luke 7:36-50
d. (vv. 8-9) Matthew and Mark report the disciples being indignant while John (12:4) points to Judas Iscariot as the instigator.
e. (vv. 10-13) What does Jesus mean in verse 11? Why is it significant that He interprets her actions as anointing Him for burial?
f. (vv. 14-16) Judas agrees to the amount (30 shekels = 120 days wages) equal to what was required reimbursement for a slave that was gored by an ox (Exodus 21:32).
g. What do you make of the value of the anointing oil when compared to the amount that Judas agreed upon to betray Jesus?
V. During Passover Judas Revealed as Jesus’ Betrayer (vv. 17-25)
a. (vv. 17-19) How do you think Jesus knew of this man? Why do you think He secured the room in this manner?
b. (vv. 20-25) How do the disciples address Jesus in their query? How does Judas address Jesus?
VI. The First Lord’s Supper (vv. 26-30)
a. Only John (13:27) records that Judas was present during the meal and left after the foot-washing.
b. See 4 Views of Communion information sheet.
VII. Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial (vv. 31-35)
a. (vs. 31) Here Jesus quotes from Zechariah 13:7 as a Messianic reference.
b. (vv. 32-35) What do we think of Peter’s (and the other disciples) confidence here?
c. Chronologically speaking, John 14-17 would fall after verse 35.
VIII. Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane (vv. 36-46)
a. (vv. 36-39) What is the “cup” Jesus is referring to?
b. (vv. 40-41) What did Jesus mean by “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak?”
c. (vs. 42) How did Jesus’ prayer change the second time?
d. (vv. 43-46) After being roused 3 times what does it reveal about the disciples awareness of the situation at hand?
IX. The Judas Kiss (vv. 47-56)
a. (vv. 47-50) How did Judas greet Jesus? How did Jesus greet Judas?
b. (vv. 51-52) John 18:10 reveals that it was Peter who pulled the sword and the victim’s name was Malchus (the high priest’s slave). Why do you think Peter reacted the way he did?
c. (vv. 53-54) A legion of soldiers was 6,000 men plus up to another 6,000 support troops. Twelve legions of angels could be anywhere between 72,000 and 144,000.
d. (vv. 55-56) What is the point Jesus is making?
X. Jesus Brought Before the Sanhedrin (vv. 57-68)
a. Jesus’ trial was illegal for at least 6 reasons:
i. It was pre-determined that Jesus must die. No innocent until proven guilty.
ii. False witnesses were sought out when usually there was an elaborate system of screening witnesses to insure justice.
iii. Jesus was not allowed any prepared defense or representative counsel.
iv. The trial was conducted at night, in violation of Sanhedrin rules.
v. The high priest put Jesus under oath but then incriminated Him for what He said.
vi. Cases with such serious charges were to be tried only in the Sanhedrin’s regular meeting places and not in the high priest’s palace.
b. (vv. 62-66) In Mark 14:62 Jesus replies, “I am.” (Greek: ego emi). God told Moses to tell Pharaoh, “I AM sent me.”
c. (vv. 67-68) Why did they treat Jesus in this manner?
XI. Peter Denies His Lord (vv. 69-75)
a. Put ourselves in Peter’s shoes. What could be going through his mind before, during, and after this encounter?
b. God is in the restoration business. (See Luke 22:31-32 and John 21:15-19)
XII. Application
a. Even the most tragic circumstances can be used to accomplish God’s purposes. (Romans 8:28)
b. When we regularly take Communion we remember the Lord’s sacrifice and look forward to His return. (1 Corinthians 11:26)
c. We must not shy away from proclaiming our faith and we should speak the truth no matter the cost. (1 Peter 3:14-15)
Final Comments and/or Questions. Close in Prayer
Next Week: The Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
- Read Matthew 27:1-66 to prepare.
