February 13, 2022 – Matthew 26:1-56

Lesson Date: February 13, 2022

Focal Scripture Passage: Matthew 26:1-56

AIM: To lead students to discover the events surrounding Jesus’ betrayal and arrest and why those events happened, and to thank Him for enduring those things so they could be saved.

Before class: Read the notes on Matthew 26:1-56 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book.  Write or print the following scripture references on small pieces of paper or index cards: Matthew 17:22-23; Matthew 20:18; Matthew 26:24; Acts 2:23.  Enlist some students who are comfortable reading aloud to look up the verses and read them to the class when called upon.  Write the word “Betray” on the marker board or chalkboard.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Write the word “Betray” on the marker board or chalkboard.  Ask the students to suggest definitions for the word.  Next, lead the class to say the word aloud together.  Point out the fact that the word even sounds like the callous, uncaring, disloyal, and self-serving action that it represents.

Ask: “Have you ever been betrayed?  Has someone you thought to be a friend actually turned out to be an enemy?  Has anyone ever betrayed your trust or confidence?”  Allow a few moments for responses.  Stress the fact that being betrayed hurts very badly.

Remind the class that the last half of the book of Matthew is about Jesus’ journey toward the cross.  Several times along that journey Jesus plainly told His disciples that He was going to Jerusalem to die on the cross.  Ask the previously enlisted volunteers to read Matthew 17:22-23 and Matthew 20:18.  On those two occasions Jesus clearly said He would be betrayed.  Ask: “How would it make you feel if you knew that you were going to be betrayed by a close friend?”  Today’s lesson from Matthew 26 is about Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (how we should live until Jesus returns).
   • Ask if any volunteer would recite last week’s memory verse (Matt. 25:34).
2. The Plot to Kill Jesus.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Matthew 26:1-5.
   • Jesus reminded His disciples that the Passover feast was only two days away.
   • Ask: “What did He say would happen?” (He would be betrayed to be crucified).
   • Tell the class a prestigious group of Jewish leaders assembled at the high priest’s palace.
   • Ask: “Who was in this elite group?” (chief priests, scribes, and elders).
   • Ask: “What did they plan to do?” (arrest and kill Jesus).
   • Ask: “Why didn’t they want to do that on the feast day?” (they feared it would cause an uproar among the people).
   • Summarize: The wicked and corrupt leaders of the Jewish people plotted to arrest and kill Jesus after the Passover.
3. Jesus was Anointed for His Burial.
   • Read Matthew 26:6-7.
   • Explain the following:
     • During the week leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus spent the days in Jerusalem but spent the nights with friends in Bethany.
     • Jesus was at the home of Simon the leper in Bethany.
     • A woman came in with a very expensive container of ointment, which she poured on Jesus’ head.
     • Some of the disciples were indignant, saying that it was a waste to pour such costly ointment on Jesus’ head.
     • Jesus corrected them and praised the woman for her actions.
   • Read Matthew 26:12.
   • Ask: “What did Jesus say about why this woman anointed Him?” (He said it was in preparation for His burial).
   • Summarize: A woman in Bethany anointed Jesus with expensive ointment, which He said was preparation for His burial.
4. Judas Offered to Betray Jesus.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Matthew 26:14-16.
   • Ask: “To whom did Judas go?” (the chief priests – the very people who wanted to arrest and kill Jesus).
   • Ask: “What did he ask them?” (how much they would pay him to betray Jesus).
   • Tell the class they agreed upon a price of 30 pieces of silver, which was the price of a common slave (it was also prophesied in Zech. 11:12).
   • Ask: “What does verse 16 say Judas did?” (looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus).
   • Summarize: Judas made a contract with the chief priests to deliver Jesus to them for thirty pieces of silver.
5. The Last Supper and Garden of Gethsemane.
   • The events that occurred at the Last Supper and in the Garden of Gethsemane are not the focus of this lesson, so briefly explain the following to the class:
     • Jesus and His disciples gathered in a borrowed room to eat their Passover meal.
     • Jesus announced that one of them was going to betray Him.
     • The disciples were shocked; each man asked if he was the betrayer.
     • Judas insincerely asked the same question, and Jesus acknowledged that Judas was, in fact, the betrayer.
     • Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, giving the disciples bread and wine that He said represented His body and blood.
     • After the meal they went out to the Mount of Olives to pray.
     • Jesus announced that all of them would desert Him that night (fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7), but Peter insisted he would never deny Jesus.
     • Jesus told Peter he would deny Him three times that very night.
     • In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus went off to pray privately. He asked the disciples to pray for Him, but they all fell asleep.
   • Read Matthew 26:45-46.
   • Ask: “What hour did Jesus say had come?” (the hour of His betrayal).
   • Ask: “What did He tell the disciples in verse 46?” (His betrayer had arrived).
   • Tell the class these facts remind us that Jesus knew exactly what was happening.
   • Summarize: At the Last Supper and in the Garden Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him.
6. Jesus was Betrayed and Arrested.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Matthew 26:47-50.
   • Ask: “Who came into the garden?” (Judas).
   • Ask: “Who was with him?” (a large group of armed men from the chief priests and elders).
   • Ask: “How had Judas told the armed men he would identify Jesus in the dark garden?” (by kissing Him on the cheek).
   • Explain the following:
     • This was the very moment of betrayal.
     • Judas had been with Jesus for three years.
     • He, along with the other disciples, had traveled with Jesus, lived with Jesus, and eaten with Jesus.
     • They had ministered together and experienced many amazing miracles together.
     • Notice that in verse 50 Jesus addressed Judas as His “Friend.”
     • Despite all these things, Judas still betrayed Jesus.
     • Even though Jesus knew all this ahead of time, imagine the hurt He felt when He was betrayed by His friend.
   • Read Matthew 26:51-54.
   • Explain the following:
     • One of Jesus’ disciples (Peter) drew his sword and tried to defend Jesus, but all he did was cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant.
     • Jesus rebuked Peter, telling him He could call forth 12 legions of angels to defend Himself.
   • Ask: “According to verse 54, why did Jesus say He allowed Himself to be arrested?” (to fulfill the scriptures).
   • Ask a volunteer to read Matthew 26:55-56.
   • Tell the students Jesus mocked the crowd for coming out to arrest Him secretly at night, when He had sat peacefully among them in the Temple every day that week.
   • Ask: “According to verse 56, why was all this done?” (to fulfill the scriptures).
   • Ask: “What did the disciples do?” (forsook Jesus and fled for their lives – just as Jesus had said they would the night before – verse 31).
   • Summarize: Judas betrayed Jesus so He could be arrested by the chief priests and elders.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Remind the students that some of them said they had been betrayed in some way in the past.  Ask: “Was that a pleasant experience?  Did you enjoy being betrayed by a friend?” (no to both questions).  Ask: “Would you willingly choose to experience the hurt of betrayal again?” (no).  Ask: “If you could prevent someone from betraying you and save yourself the hurt of being betrayed, would you do it?” (certainly).

Remind the class that on four different occasions Jesus specifically said He was going to be betrayed (Matt. 17:22; 20:18; 26:2, 21).  Ask: “Since Jesus knew what Judas was up to, why didn’t He do something to stop him?  Why did Jesus allow Himself to be betrayed and arrested?” (because it was part of God’s foreordained plan to take Him to the cross so He could die to pay the price for our sins).

Ask the previously enlisted volunteers to read Matthew 26:24 and Acts 2:23.  Jesus willingly allowed Himself to be betrayed and arrested to fulfill God’s plan to save sinners.  We must remember that Jesus had all power: He could have easily “zapped” Judas out of existence, but He didn’t.  To think of it on a more personal basis – if Jesus hadn’t allowed Himself to be betrayed by Judas, then we would not be saved today.

Encourage everyone to personally thank Jesus for allowing Himself to be betrayed, rejected, hurt, arrested, and killed so we could enjoy salvation today and eternal life in heaven when we die.  Lead a closing prayer time, allowing a moment for students to silently thank Jesus.

CONCLUSION: Encourage everyone to thank Jesus every day for going to the cross to save them.  Ask them to read Matthew 26:57 – 27:44 this week.  Next week’s lesson is about Jesus’ trials and crucifixion.