Lesson 30 Matthew 26:1–30

Matthew 26:1–16

Judas conspires with Jewish leaders who desire to kill Jesus

What was the purpose of the Passover feast?

Matthew 26:1–2

1 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.

What did Jesus say would occur after the Passover?

Why did the scribes and chief priests decide to wait until after the Passover to kill Jesus?

Matthew 26:3–5

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.

While Jesus was in Bethany, a woman came to Him and anointed Him with very expensive ointment to acknowledge His impending death and burial. Some of His disciples, including Judas, one of the Twelve Apostles and the group’s treasurer, complained that the ointment should have been sold to help the poor. However, Judas was not truly concerned for the poor but was a thief who wanted the money for himself (see John 12:4–6).

Matthew 26:14–16

14 ¶ 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.

What did Judas do?

How much did the chief priests pay Judas to deliver Jesus to them?

“According to the law of Moses, thirty shekels of silver would compensate an owner for the death of a slave (see Exodus 21:32). … The betrayal price reflects the low regard Judas and the chief priests had for the Savior” (New Testament Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 81). It also fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy of Judas’s betrayal of the Savior (see Zechariah 11:12).

Matthew 26:17–25

Jesus and His disciples eat the Passover meal

How might the scriptures and the talks given at general conference be like a mirror?

“Often we try to avoid looking deeply into our souls and confronting our weaknesses, limitations, and fears. …

“But being able to see ourselves clearly is essential to our spiritual growth and well-being. …

“May I suggest that the holy scriptures and the talks given at general conference are an effective mirror we can hold up for self-examination” (“Lord, Is It I?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 58).

Matthew 26:20–21

20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

What did Jesus say to His Apostles?

If you had been one of the Apostles, what might you have been thinking at this moment?

Matthew 26:22

22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

What question did the Apostles ask?

What does the question “Lord, is it I?” teach us about the eleven faithful Apostles?

Based on this account, what principle can we learn about how disciples of Jesus Christ should respond when they hear the words of the Lord?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

What are some examples of how we might be tempted to disregard the Lord’s words and assume they are meant for someone else?

How have you been blessed as you have applied the words of the Lord and made changes in your life?

“The disciples didn’t question the truth of what [Jesus] said. Nor did they look around, point to someone else, and ask, ‘Is it him?’

“Instead, ‘they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?’ [Matthew 26:22].

“I wonder what each of us would do. … Would we look at those around us and say in our hearts, ‘He’s probably talking about Brother Johnson. I’ve always wondered about him,’ or ‘I’m glad Brother Brown is here. He really needs to hear this message’? Or would we, like those disciples of old, look inward and ask that penetrating question: ‘Is it I?’ (“Lord, Is It I?” 56).

“In these simple words, ‘Lord, is it I?’ lies the beginning of wisdom and the pathway to personal conversion and lasting change. …

“We must put aside our pride, see beyond our vanity, and in humility ask, ‘Lord, is it I?’

“And if the Lord’s answer happens to be ‘Yes, my son [or daughter], there are things you must improve, things I can help you to overcome,’ I pray that we will accept this answer, humbly acknowledge our sins and shortcomings, and then change our ways by becoming better” (“Lord, Is It I?” 56, 58).

Matthew 26:26–30

Jesus Christ institutes the sacrament during the Passover

When you last partook of the sacrament, what were you doing? What were you thinking? What did you feel?

Matthew 26:26–29

26 ¶ 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.

Why did Jesus Christ institute the sacrament?

What are some things we can do to ensure the sacrament helps us remember Jesus Christ

and His Atonement for our sins?

How has trying to remember the Savior and His Atonement influenced your feelings

and experiences while partaking of the sacrament?

Merely eating the bread and drinking the water during the sacrament does not automatically qualify us to receive a remission, or forgiveness, of our sins. We must exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent, and partake of the sacrament with real intent by always remembering Him and striving to keep His commandments. By worthily partaking of the sacrament, we renew our baptismal covenants.

When we repent and partake of the sacrament with real intent, we can receive a remission of our sins.

Matthew 26:29

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.

“The sacrament not only symbolizes the Savior’s Atonement but also looks forward in anticipation to the time when He will return to the earth in glory (see 1 Corinthians 11:26)” (New Testament Student Manual, 83). If we keep our covenants and endure to the end, we can be among those who partake of the sacrament with the Savior at this future time (see D&C 27:4–14).