Question 1

What is happening in this passage and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

This chapter walks through the night before Jesus is crucified. He tells the disciples His death is near, is anointed for burial, and is betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. He shares the Passover meal and turns it into the meal of the new covenant, speaking of His body and blood given for the forgiveness of sins. He then prays in deep sorrow in Gethsemane, submits to the Father’s will, is arrested, mocked, and falsely condemned, while Peter denies Him. It shows that His suffering and death were not an accident but part of God’s plan to save.

Question 2

Why did the woman pour expensive ointment on Jesus’ head?

Accepted Answer

The woman came to Jesus with very costly ointment and poured it on His head while He was at a meal. Some of the disciples called it a waste and said the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus defended her. He said she had done a good work for Him and explained that she was anointing His body for burial. He also said that wherever the good news is preached in all the world, what she did would be told as a memorial. Her act shows deep love, faith, and honor for Him.

Question 3

Why did Judas betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver?

Accepted Answer

Right after the story of the woman’s costly gift, Judas goes to the chief priests and asks, “What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you?” They agree to give him thirty pieces of silver, and from then on he looks for a chance to hand Jesus over. The passage links his choice with greed and a heart that values money over Christ. It also shows that betrayal can come from someone very close. At the same time, this betrayal fits with the Scriptures Jesus says must be fulfilled, showing that even this dark act is used in God’s plan to bring salvation.

Question 4

What is the meaning of the bread and cup at the Last Supper?

Accepted Answer

During the Passover meal, Jesus takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to the disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then He takes the cup, gives thanks, and says, “This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” He is using the bread and wine as signs of His body and blood that will soon be given on the cross. The meal shows that His death is like a new Passover, where His blood brings forgiveness and marks the start of a new covenant between God and His people, to be remembered by believers.

Question 5

Why did Jesus pray for the cup to pass from Him in Gethsemane?

Accepted Answer

In Gethsemane Jesus says His soul is “exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” He falls on His face and prays, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” The “cup” points to the suffering and judgment He is about to bear. His prayer shows His real human distress at the pain ahead, yet also His full obedience to the Father. He prays this three times and always submits to God’s will. This scene lets us see both His deep agony and His willing choice to go to the cross for sinners.

Question 6

What does “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” mean here?

Accepted Answer

Jesus says this after finding His disciples asleep instead of praying. He tells Peter, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” The disciples honestly wanted to stay faithful and close to Him, but their tired bodies and weak resolve led them to sleep, then later to run away. The phrase shows how even good intentions are not enough on their own. We need to watch and pray, asking God for strength, because our natural weakness makes us easy targets for fear, pressure, and sin if we try to stand in our own power.

Question 7

Why did Jesus tell Peter he would deny Him three times?

Accepted Answer

After the meal, Jesus tells the disciples they will stumble that night, and He quotes Scripture about the shepherd being struck and the sheep scattered. Peter answers that even if everyone else is offended, he never will. Jesus then says that before the rooster crows, Peter will deny Him three times. Peter insists he would rather die than deny Jesus, and the others say the same. Later that night, when Jesus is on trial, Peter lies three times about even knowing Him. This shows how self-confident promises can fail, and how Jesus knows our weakness better than we do, yet still walks toward the cross.

Question 8

What does this passage teach about God’s plan and human sin?

Accepted Answer

All through this passage, people are doing evil things: plotting Jesus’ death, taking money to betray Him, lying in a trial, mocking Him, and denying Him out of fear. Yet Jesus keeps saying that these things happen so that the writings about Him will be fulfilled, and that His time is at hand. This shows both the ugliness of human sin and the steady purpose of God. People are fully responsible for their choices, but God is not defeated by them. Instead, He uses even these sins to bring about the sacrifice of Jesus, which brings forgiveness to many.

Question 9

How can this passage shape the way I follow Jesus today?

Accepted Answer

This passage holds up several pictures side by side: the woman’s costly love, Judas’ betrayal, the disciples’ sleepy weakness, Jesus’ steady obedience, and Peter’s fearful denial followed by bitter tears. It invites you to ask where you fit. You are encouraged to offer your best to Christ, even when others do not understand, to stay watchful in prayer instead of trusting your own strength, and to remember that Jesus willingly faced suffering to bring forgiveness. When you fail, Peter’s story hints that grief over sin can lead to restoration, because Jesus went to the cross knowing all our weaknesses.

Matthew 26:1

And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

Preparing the Passover

The Last Supper

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

Jesus Prays at Gethsemane

The Betrayal of Jesus

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

Peter Denies Jesus

The Plot to Kill Jesus

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Matthew 26:1

And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

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The Plot to Kill Jesus

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

Preparing the Passover

The Last Supper

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

Jesus Prays at Gethsemane

The Betrayal of Jesus

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

Peter Denies Jesus

The Plot to Kill Jesus

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