King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Saturday, November 08, 2025
Chapters: Matthew 26
Message: Matthew: Judas Betrays Jesus
Hello My Friend,
As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, we learn that not everyone among us who appear to be Christians are. We also learn that we are to take some time to reflect on the fact that Jesus sacrificed His own body and shed His blood so that we would not face eternal death, [Ephesians 4:13-15 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:]
There truly are hundreds of doctrines out there, many even proclaiming Christ, and contrary to what they all say, there is only one doctrine that we are to follow and that is the Gospel of Christ. In other words, the sinless death, burial, and resurrection of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Now, Matthew, begins his account of what took place prior to Christ’s passion. Two days before everything was to unfold, Jesus, came right out and told the disciples that He was not only going to be betrayed, but crucified as well.
[Matthew 26:1-5 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. 5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.]
Crucifixion, is by far the cruelest form of death by execution there is, not only are they hung on a cross with stakes holding them up, they must do so in the desert sun. These people did not just want to kill Jesus, they wanted Him to suffer excruciating pain until His death. Of course, there was nothing that they could charge Him with that would give them cause to kill Him, but them that much more eager to find someone who could catch Him do something that they could actually charge Him with. While all this was taking place, Jesus had one last meal with His friends before the Passover.
[Matthew 26:7-13 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.]
We know from the previous accounts that it was actually Judas who was angry at Mary for pouring the perfume out onto His head. The woman was Mary, and Jesus knew the reason that some of the disciples were angry at seeing her pour this bottle of perfume on His head, which was kept for her wedding day. Until Mary met Jesus she lived her life as any other Jewish woman, but the day she met Him she knew her life would change and decided that He needed that precious ointment more than she did. This is why Jesus told them to leave her alone. However, this was the very ammunition that Judas needed to go to Caiaphas and help them capture Him.
[Matthew 26:14-19 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. 17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.]
They agreed to pay Judas what would amount to approximately sixteen dollars and sixty-seven cents in US dollars. What a ridiculous thing to betray someone over? And at what cost? To their soul! Why did this cause Judas to even want to betray Jesus? This man was not angry over some perfume that he could have stolen, I believe this was something that festered in him from the day that Jesus came into his life and could not believe that this woman wasted something so valuable on a man. Conviction will bring out the most fierce reactions in those who have no faith in Christ, [Titus 1:15-16 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.]
Now, the next day was the Passover, Jesus, arranged for a room for just Him and the twelve disciples to eat the Passover meal, as He sits down with them, He gave them all a shock when He flat out tells them that He knew that one of them was going to betray Him, [Matthew 26:21-25 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.]
How would you react to Jesus saying this to you? Like most people who have a conscience, they would start thinking about what they have been doing and wondering if it was them. Let me tell, there is absolutely no person on earth who is not capable of doing something wicked, and we all fail God every day at some point, but if Satan gets a hold of their soul, they can become just as wicked as he is. This reminds me of what David said when he was betrayed by his own son, [Psalms 55:12-15 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.]
Of course, Judas already knew that Jesus was talking about him, and yet I bet he was still smug about it, but he was the only one that Jesus responded to when they all asked Him. But while they were eating, Jesus, did something that might have appeared to them as sharing a loaf of bread, but there was deeper meaning, [Matthew 26:26-29 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.]
Think about what Jesus is referring to, He was about to die for them, His blood would be shed for the remission of their sins. This was not to be, what so many foolish religions do, drink wine as though they were actually drinking His blood, rather to be a remembrance of what He had done. They were to drink all of it, meaning we must believe in the entire Gospel, and that His sinless death is all that is needed for the remission of our sins. We are to drink the entire Gospel, take it all in, and continue to observe what Jesus has done for us.
[1 Corinthians 11:26-29 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.]
David, did not mince words, whenever he failed God he was sure to seek forgiveness and vowed repentance and to teach others what not to do. It was not uncommon for him to pray that God would take care of those who wronged him either, so I can imagine what Jesus might have been thinking knowing that Judas had turned on Him. Nevertheless, they ended their feast and headed to Mount Olives where He told them something else.
[Matthew 26:30-35 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.]
How would we react if Jesus said that He knows we will deny Him? I imagine the same exact way. None of us who live by faith in Jesus never intend to deny Him, but fear can cause is to do many things that we would never intend. However, Jesus does know the difference, [2 Timothy 2:19-20 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.]
Judas, would find our rather quickly that he would be guilty of the body and blood of Jesus after he betrayed Him. While he ran off to go get the guards, Jesus, and a few of the disciples went to Gethsemane, where Jesus became quiet sorrowful and began to pray.
[Matthew 26:36-41 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.]
It is interesting to note that Jesus brought James, John, and Peter with Him, while all of the disciples except for Judas had their own ministries, these three men were the most prominent. Jesus, in His flesh, was no different than the rest of us, even though we know that God will work everything out for good, that does not stop us from having sorrowful and heavy hearts when we know that we are going to have to endure some pain. Jesus went to His Father two more times and asked Him if there were some other way to save mankind, even though He knew it was the only way.
[Matthew 26:42-46 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.]
Jesus. just said, “Thy will be done” and as soon as He finished praying, that was when they came to take Him, [Matthew 26:47-51 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.]
I find it interesting that the disciples make it a point to point out that Judas was among one of them several times. This goes to show you that we too can be deceived into believing that someone has the same faith as we do, nevertheless, while we will move on and continue in our faith, they will reap the same corruption that they had sown, [2 Peter 2:20-21 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.]
Wow! Talk about words that cut like a knife. I know that Judas must have been wishing that he was never born after hearing those words. No one knows the impact of denying Christ until they face Him, [Matthew 10:32-34 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.]
Jesus, was appointed to be the sinless sacrifice that would bring salvation to man once and for all, that is, to all who would believe on Him, and at any point if any of it did not go as planned, then it would have ruined God’s testimony, So, when they started to fight to protect Him, Jesus put a stop to it.
[Matthew 26:52-56 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? 55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.]
It did not matter that prophecy was being fulfilled, they were still capturing an innocent man and anyone who attempted to overthrow the prophecy or was a part of it would receive the same fate. And just like that, they captured Jesus and took Him to Caiaphas and at first Peter followed at a distance to see what would happen.
[Matthew 26:58-62 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?]
You see, God, may only appoint you to one thing in your lifetime, until it is fulfilled He will not bring you home. Jesus was appointed to be the sinless sacrifice that would bring salvation to man once and for all, that is, to all who would believe on Him. So, even when they questioned Him He would not answer, that was until Caiaphas asks Him one question.
[Matthew 26:63-66 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.]
Jesus, was telling them that when He has finished the work that He came here to do, all of his enemies will be subdued under His footstool as David had written, [Psalms 110:1-2 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.]
Well, after they unanimously voted that He is guilty of death that scared Peter to death and he thought he had better get out of there before they come after him to which Peter’s denial of Jesus three times just as He had told him follows.
[Matthew 26:69-75 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.]
Peter’s sin in denying Jesus was aggravated; but he fell into it by surprise, not as Judas, which was of his intention. The conscience should be to us as the crowing of the rooster did with Peter, to put us in mind of the sins we had forgotten. 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 our grace and duty as Christians, it is a sign of our sorrowing not only deeply, but sincerely, [1 John 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.]
Today’s Prayer: God, There are many things in this world that I do not understand, many times I see my life and wonder if it is really in Your will for me or just me trying to alter Your plan. Nevertheless, I know one thing is for sure, You have a purpose for me and You will keep me here until I fulfill that purpose. Thank You for watching over us and protecting us as we walk this journey with You. It is not always easy as there are many willing to sell us out for their own selfish greed. Lord, Lead us and guide us, give us wisdom to know how to speak to everyone, discernment to know who is true, Your mercy and grace to see us through, Your strength that pierces through our weakness, and the courage to always proclaim You Son as our Saviour. With You by my side, I know I can do and endure all things. I pray this in Your name Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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