Matthew 26 — Clausal Layout (English)

independentparticipialrelativepurposecausecomparativecontentconditionalphrase modifierdashed = verbless / suspended

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The passion dated and the plot of Caiaphas 26:1–5

vv. 1–2 — the discourses end, and Jesus dates his own passion

And it came to pass,independent — the Semitic ויהי-frame — the narrative resumes for the last time

when Jesus had finished all these words,conditional — temporal ὅτε (typed cnd) — the fifth and final ἐτέλεσεν-formula (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1), now with πάντας: the teaching is complete; leans on εἶπεν

he said to his disciples:independent — from discourse to passion in one verse

'You knowcontent — the knowledge appealed to — the date is public

that after two days the Passover takes place,content — Mark's narrator-date spoken by Jesus himself — the passion clock is his

and the Son of Man is handed overcontent — futuristic present παραδίδοται — the keyword verb of the chapter enters

to be crucified.'purpose — εἰς τό + infinitive — the fourth passion prediction, now dated and mode-specific: the cross

vv. 3–5 — the courtyard of Caiaphas: stealth, not the feast

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of the high priest called Caiaphas,independent — Τότε — Matthew's hinge word; συνήχθησαν echoes Ps 2:2 (the rulers gathered against the Lord's anointed); Caiaphas named, where Mark leaves him anonymous

and they took counsel togetherindependent — συνεβουλεύσαντο — the formal resolution (cf. 12:14; 22:15; 27:1; 28:12)

that they might seize Jesus by stealth and kill him;purpose — δόλῳ — the required stealth; κρατέω and ἀποκτείνω, the plot's two verbs

but they were saying:independent — imperfect — their deliberation quoted

'Not during the feast,content — verbless prohibition — the arrest must dodge the festival; events will overrule them

lest an uproar arise among the people.'purpose — ἐν τῷ λαῷ — the same λαός whose elders plot (v. 3); the crowd is their check

The anointing at Bethany 26:6–13

vv. 6–9 — the alabaster jar and the disciples' protest

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,participial — genitive absolute — the scene set at a leper's table; leans on προσῆλθεν

a woman came to him,independent — προσῆλθεν — Matthew's approach-verb; the unnamed counter-figure to the plotters and to Judas

having an alabaster jar of very costly ointment,participial — βαρύτιμος — only here in the NT; the extravagance is the point

and poured it on his head as he reclined at table.independent — the head anointed — a royal-messianic gesture; the genitive participle ἀνακειμένου folded in

But the disciples, seeing it,participial — preposed aorist participle with its subject — leans on ἠγανάκτησαν

were indignant,independent — in Matthew the indignant are the disciples themselves (Mark: 'some')

saying:participial — the speech-frame for the protest

'To what end this waste?content — verbless question — ἀπώλεια, 'ruin'; the deed read as sheer loss

For this could have been sold for much and given to the poor.'cause — the reckoning — Matthew's vague πολλοῦ for Mark's three hundred denarii

vv. 10–13 — the defense: a good work, a burial, a memorial

But Jesus, knowing it,participial — γνούς — the unspoken grumbling read (cf. 12:15; 16:8); leans on εἶπεν

said to them:independent — the defense opens

'Why do you trouble the woman?content — the counter-question

For she has done a good work toward me;content — ἔργον καλόν — the verdict reversed: not waste but beauty

for you always have the poor with you,cause — Deut 15:11 — the poor remain; no license for neglect

but me you do not always have;cause — fronted ἐμέ — the fleeting bodily presence

for she, in pouring this ointment on my body,participial — preposed aorist participle — leans on ἐποίησεν

did it to prepare me for burial.cause — πρὸς τό + infinitive — the anointing read as proleptic burial rite; the women at the tomb come too late (28:1)

Truly I say to you,content — the ἀμήν-formula — the solemn promise

wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world,conditional — indefinite local ὅπου ἐάν (typed cnd) — leans on λαληθήσεται; τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦτο, the worldwide mission assumed (24:14; 28:19)

what she has done will also be told in memory of her.'content — εἰς μνημόσυνον — her deed folded into the gospel's telling

Judas's bargain — thirty pieces of silver 26:14–16

Then one of the twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, going to the chief priests,participial — preposed participle with its subject — Τότε again; εἷς τῶν δώδεκα, treachery from within, framed against the woman's devotion; leans on εἶπεν (v. 15)

said:independent — in Matthew Judas speaks first — the initiative is his

'What are you willing to give me,content — the price asked — only Matthew makes greed the stated motive

and I will hand him over to you?'content — κἀγώ-parataxis — the offer and its condition in one breath

And they weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver.independent — Zech 11:12 — ἔστησαν, 'weighed out'; thirty shekels, the slave-price of Exod 21:32; named only in Matthew, repaid at 27:3–10

And from then on he was seeking an opportunityindependent — ἀπὸ τότε — the clock of treachery starts; imperfect ἐζήτει, the ongoing hunt

to betray him.purpose — ἵνα unpacking εὐκαιρίαν — the opportune moment defined by its purpose

The Passover prepared 26:17–19

Now on the first day of Unleavened Breadphrase modifier — fronted time-frame — 14 Nisan; leans on προσῆλθον

the disciples came to Jesus,independent — the preparation scene opens

saying:participial — the speech-frame

'Where do you want us to prepare for youcontent — deliberative subjunctive folded under θέλεις

to eat the Passover?'purpose — infinitive of purpose — σοι... φαγεῖν, his meal

And he said:independent — the instructions — Matthew compresses Mark's water-jar sign to a word

'Go into the city to a certain man,content — ὁ δεῖνα — 'so-and-so'; only here in the NT: the host known but unnamed

and say to him:content — the message to relay

'The Teacher says:content — the message-within-the-message — speech nests a level deeper

My time is near;content — ὁ καιρός μου — only Matthew: the appointed hour claimed as his own (cf. ἤγγικεν, vv. 45–46)

I keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'content — futuristic present ποιῶ — the Teacher's quiet claim on the room

And the disciples didindependent — the obedience

as Jesus directed them,comparative — συνέταξεν — Matthew's obedience-formula (1:24; 21:6; 27:10)

and they prepared the Passover.independent — the preparation closed

The betrayer announced at table 26:20–25

vv. 20–22 — one of you will betray me

And when evening had come,participial — genitive absolute — Passover is eaten after sundown; leans on ἀνέκειτο

he was reclining at table with the twelve.independent — the Twelve at table, betrayer included

And as they were eating,participial — genitive absolute — leans on εἶπεν

he said:independent — the announcement at table

'Truly I say to you,content — the ἀμήν-formula

one of you will betray me.'content — εἷς ἐξ ὑμῶν — the wound named at the meal (cf. Ps 41:9)

And being deeply grieved,participial — preposed present participle — σφόδρα, Matthew's intensifier; leans on ἤρξαντο

they began to say to him, each one in turn:independent — εἷς ἕκαστος — the round of sorrow

'Surely not I, Lord?'content — μήτι expects 'no' — each hopes to be excluded; κύριε: the eleven say 'Lord,' Judas will say 'Rabbi' (v. 25)

vv. 23–25 — the dipped hand, the woe, and Judas unmasked

And he, answering,participial — pleonastic ἀποκριθείς — leans on εἶπεν

said:independent — the answer that names no name — yet

'The one who has dipped his hand in the dish with me — he will betray me.content — casus pendens resumed by οὗτος — Ps 41:9; the shared bowl marks the intimacy betrayed

The Son of Man goescontent — ὑπάγει — the departure is willed, not accidental; the μέν awaiting its δέ

as it is written of him,comparative — the path is Scripture's — no text cited, the whole pattern claimed

but woe to that mancontent — the balancing δέ — divine plan cancels no guilt; verbless woe

through whom the Son of Man is betrayed;relative — δι’ οὗ — the human agency inside the divine passive

it would have been good for himcontent — ἦν without ἄν — the unreal apodosis; Matthew supplies the verb Mark omits

if that man had not been born.'conditional — second-class protasis, trailing — anchored backward on καλόν

And Judas, the one betraying him, answering,participial — only Matthew — the betrayer forced to join the round; leans on εἶπεν

said:independent — the question he must ask to keep his mask

'Surely not I, Rabbi?'content — ῥαββί, not κύριε — the betrayer's address, repeated at the kiss (v. 49)

He says to him:independent — historic present — the quiet unmasking

'You have said it.'content — σὺ εἶπας — the deflecting affirmative: your word, and true; repeated to Caiaphas (v. 64)

The institution — bread and cup 26:26–29

v. 26 — the bread

Now as they were eating,participial — genitive absolute — leans on ἔκλασεν

Jesus, taking breadparticipial — preposed participle — the first of the supper verbs

and blessing it,participial — the table berakah — one word

broke it,independent — the breaking — the act that will name the meal

and giving it to the disciples,participial — preposed participle — in Matthew the giving folds into the chain; leans on εἶπεν

he said:independent — the word over the bread

'Take, eat;content — asyndetic double imperative — Matthew adds φάγετε

this is my body.'content — the identification — bread and body, left unglossed

vv. 27–29 — the cup, and the vow of abstention

And taking a cupparticipial — preposed participle — the cup follows the bread; leans on ἔδωκεν

and giving thanks,participial — εὐχαριστήσας — whence 'Eucharist'

he gave it to them,independent — the giving

saying:participial — the word over the cup

'Drink of it, all of you,content — the command Mark narrates (πάντες ἔπιον) Matthew makes an imperative

for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.cause — Exod 24:8 with Isa 53:12 — covenant blood for the many; εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν only in Matthew, the forgiveness his name promised (1:21); the critical text lacks 'new' (καινῆς)

And I say to you,content — the solemn vow — without Mark's ἀμήν

I will not drink from now on of this fruit of the vinecontent — οὐ μή — the strongest denial; ἀπ’ ἄρτι, Matthew's 'from now on' (vv. 29, 64)

until that dayphrase modifier — the eschatological horizon

when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.'conditional — temporal ὅταν (typed cnd), anchored on its day — μεθ’ ὑμῶν and τοῦ πατρός μου, Matthew's additions: the banquet shared, the kingdom the Father's

To the Mount of Olives — the scattering and the denial foretold 26:30–35

vv. 30–32 — the shepherd struck, the sheep scattered

And having sung the hymn,participial — the Passover Hallel (Pss 113–118) — leans on ἐξῆλθον

they went out to the Mount of Olives.independent — out of the city, toward Gethsemane

Then Jesus says to them:independent — Τότε + historic present

'You will all fall away because of me this very night,content — πάντες ὑμεῖς — no exceptions; ἐν ἐμοί and ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ταύτῃ, Matthew sharpening cause and time

for it is written:cause — the ground — Scripture already says it

'I will strike the shepherd,content — Zech 13:7 — first person: God himself strikes

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'content — Zech 13:7 — τῆς ποίμνης is Matthew's addition; fulfilled at v. 56

But after I am raised,phrase modifier — fronted articular infinitive — leans on προάξω; resurrection assumed mid-doom

I will go before you into Galilee.'content — προάξω — the shepherd ahead of the flock again (28:7, 16)

vv. 33–35 — Peter's protest and the cock-crow prediction

But Peter, answering,participial — pleonastic ἀποκριθείς — the Rock against the prophecy; leans on εἶπεν

said to him:independent — the protest

'If all fall away because of you,conditional — concessive εἰ — Peter grants the rest their fall; leans on σκανδαλισθήσομαι

I will never fall away.'content — emphatic ἐγώ + οὐδέποτε — the vow that will collapse in the courtyard

Jesus said to him:independent — the precise counter-prediction

'Truly I say to you:content — the ἀμήν-formula, now singular — σοι

this very night, before a cock crows, you will deny me three times.'content — Matthew's single cock-crow (Mark counts two); kept in one clause with its embedded πρίν

Peter says to him:independent — historic present — the protest doubled

'Even if I must die with you,conditional — concessive κἄν — death itself conceded; leans on ἀπαρνήσομαι

I will not deny you.'content — οὐ μή — the same emphatic negation Jesus used of the wine (v. 29)

And all the disciples said the same.independent — the πάντες echo — all vow, all will flee (v. 56)

Gethsemane — the three prayers 26:36–46

vv. 36–38 — sorrowful unto death

Then Jesus comes with them to a place called Gethsemane,independent — Τότε + historic present — Γεθσημανί, 'oil-press,' on the Mount of Olives

and says to the disciples:independent — historic present

'Sit herecontent — αὐτοῦ — the adverb 'here'; the eight left at the edge

while I go over there and pray.'conditional — temporal ἕως οὗ (typed cnd; no temporal key) — the participle ἀπελθών folded in

And taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,participial — preposed participle — the inner three (17:1), witnesses now of the anguish; leans on ἤρξατο

he began to be sorrowful and troubled.independent — Matthew's λυπεῖσθαι softens Mark's ἐκθαμβεῖσθαι — grief rather than horror, but ἀδημονεῖν stays

Then he says to them:independent — historic present

'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death;content — the refrain of Pss 42–43 — sorrow at killing depth

remain herecontent — the charge to the three

and watch with me.'content — μετ’ ἐμοῦ — Matthew's addition: companionship asked for, and refused by sleep

vv. 39–41 — the first prayer: the cup

And going forward a little,participial — preposed participle — leans on ἔπεσεν

he fell on his face,independent — ἐπὶ πρόσωπον — full prostration, the posture of Gen 17:3

praying and saying:participial — the double speech-frame for the first prayer

'My Father,phrase modifier — Matthew's Πάτερ μου for Mark's Ἀββὰ ὁ πατήρ — the Son's own address (11:25–27)

if it is possible,conditional — first-class protasis — leans on παρελθάτω

let this cup pass from me;content — third-person imperative — the cup, the OT cup of wrath (Isa 51:17; cf. 20:22)

yet not as I will,content — the turn — the will surrendered

but as you will.'content — elliptical — θέλεις unexpressed; the Father's will stands alone

And he comes to the disciplesindependent — historic present — the first return

and finds them sleeping,independent — historic present + supplementary participle — the watch already failed

and says to Peter:independent — historic present — the rebuke to the loudest vower

'So — were you not able to watch with me one hour?content — plural verb through Peter — the vower answers for all; μετ’ ἐμοῦ again: the refused companionship

Watch and pray,content — the double imperative

that you may not enter into temptation;purpose — πειρασμός — the Lord's Prayer's sixth petition (6:13) made urgent

the spirit indeed is willing,content — verbless μέν-half

but the flesh is weak.'content — verbless δέ-half — the anthropology of the sleeping three

vv. 42–44 — the second and third prayers: thy will be done

Again, a second time, going away,participial — preposed participle — πάλιν ἐκ δευτέρου doubled; leans on προσηύξατο

he prayed,independent — the second prayer — in Matthew its words are new

saying:participial — the speech-frame

'My Father,phrase modifier — the address repeated

if this cannot passconditional — first-class protasis with οὐ — the impossibility now assumed; leans on γενηθήτω

unless I drink it,conditional — protasis within the protasis — ἐὰν μή, anchored backward on παρελθεῖν

your will be done.'content — the Lord's Prayer's third petition verbatim (6:10) — the teacher prays his own prayer

And coming again,participial — preposed participle — leans on εὗρεν

he found them sleeping,independent — the second failure

for their eyes were heavy.cause — narrator's γάρ-aside — periphrastic; the flesh's weakness enacted

And leaving them,participial — preposed participle — leans on προσηύξατο

again going away,participial — second preposed participle — the πάλιν-refrain

he prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.independent — ἐκ τρίτου — three prayers, matching the three denials to come; the trailing εἰπών kept in line

vv. 45–46 — the hour has come

Then he comes to the disciplesindependent — historic present — the third return

and says to them:independent — historic present

'Are you still sleeping and resting?content — question or bitter irony — either way the watch is over; printed as the question

Behold, the hour has drawn near,content — ἡ ὥρα — ὁ καιρός μου of v. 18 arriving

and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.content — ἰδού + dramatic present — 17:22 arriving in real time

Rise,content — the rousing imperative

let us be going;content — ἄγωμεν — toward the betrayer, not away

behold, the one betraying me has drawn near.'content — ἤγγικεν doubled — hour and betrayer arrive with the kingdom's verb (3:2; 4:17)

The arrest — the kiss, the sword, and the fulfilled Scriptures 26:47–56

vv. 47–50 — the kiss and the seizure

And while he was still speaking,participial — genitive absolute — word and event collide; leans on ἦλθεν

behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came,independent — ἰδού — εἷς τῶν δώδεκα repeated like a wound (vv. 14, 47)

and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people.independent — elliptical — the armed posse; the same 'elders of the people' who plotted (v. 3)

Now the betrayer gave them a sign,independent — the kiss prearranged — aorist where Mark has the pluperfect flashback

saying:participial — the speech-frame for the arrangement

'Whomever I kiss,conditional — indefinite relative as protasis — leans on ἐστιν; the greeting weaponized

he is the one;content — the identification — apodosis to the kiss-clause

seize him.'content — the order — κρατέω, the plot's verb (v. 4)

And immediately coming up to Jesus,participial — preposed participle — no hesitation; leans on εἶπεν

he said:independent — the mask of greeting

'Greetings, Rabbi!'content — Χαῖρε — the everyday hail; ῥαββί again, the betrayer's address (v. 25)

and he kissed him fervently.independent — κατεφίλησεν — the intensive kiss; the sign performed with warmth

And Jesus said to him:independent — the answer only Matthew records

'Friend — that for which you are here.'content — a famous crux: brachylogy ('do what you came for') or question ('why are you here?'); ἑταῖρε, Matthew's chill address (20:13; 22:12)

Then, coming forward,participial — preposed participle — leans on ἐπέβαλον

they laid hands on Jesusindependent — εἰς χεῖρας ἁμαρτωλῶν (v. 45) made literal

and seized him.independent — ἐκράτησαν — the verb the priests have sought since v. 4

vv. 51–54 — the sword drawn and refused

And behold, one of those with Jesus, stretching out his hand,participial — preposed participle with its subject — the swordsman Matthew leaves nameless (John names Peter); leans on ἀπέσπασεν

drew his sword,independent — the one blow of resistance begins

and striking the servant of the high priest,participial — πατάξας — the verb of the Zechariah citation (v. 31) misapplied by a disciple; leans on ἀφεῖλεν

cut off his ear.independent — τὸ ὠτίον — unhealed in Matthew (Luke alone heals it)

Then Jesus says to him:independent — Τότε + historic present — the rebuke, only in Matthew

'Return your sword to its place;content — the disarming command

for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.cause — the sword-saying — proverbial lex talionis (cf. Gen 9:6); only Matthew

Or do you thinkcontent — the alternative dismissed before it is thought

that I cannot appeal to my Father,content — παρακαλέσαι — the appeal he will not make; τὸν πατέρα μου, the Gethsemane address continued

and he will at once put at my side more than twelve legions of angels?content — parataxis inside the ὅτι-clause — twelve legions, one per disciple and their Lord; ἄρτι, this instant

How then should the Scriptures be fulfilled,content — deliberative subjunctive — power declined for fulfillment's sake

that it must happen this way?'content — epexegetic ὅτι — the Scriptures' content: the divine δεῖ

vv. 55–56 — the daylight teacher, the fleeing disciples

At that hour Jesus said to the crowds:independent — ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ — the hour of v. 45, now the timestamp

'Have you come out as against a bandit, with swords and clubs,content — λῃστής — the brigand-word; the same word flanks the cross (27:38)

to arrest me?purpose — infinitive of purpose

Day after day I sat in the temple teaching,content — ἐκαθεζόμην — the teacher's posture; nothing clandestine

and you did not seize me.content — the daylight arrest they never dared

But all this has happenedcontent — in Matthew still Jesus' words (in Mark arguably the evangelist's aside)

that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.'purpose — Matthew's fulfillment-formula (1:22; 21:4), spoken for once by Jesus himself

Then the disciples, all of them, forsaking him,participial — preposed participle — ἀφέντες, the verb of leaving nets (4:20) inverted; leans on ἔφυγον

fled.independent — πάντες — v. 31 fulfilled to the letter

Before Caiaphas — the adjuration and the confession 26:57–68

vv. 57–58 — the council inside, Peter outside

And those who had seized Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest,independent — substantival participle as subject — ἀπήγαγον; Caiaphas named again (v. 3)

where the scribes and the elders had gathered.relative — local relative — συνήχθησαν again (v. 3): the Ps 2:2 gathering completes itself

But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest,independent — ἀπὸ μακρόθεν — following, but at the distance that ends in denial; imperfect

and going inside,participial — preposed participle — leans on ἐκάθητο

he sat with the attendantsindependent — settled among the guards

to see the end.purpose — ἰδεῖν τὸ τέλος — only Matthew: the spectator's dread, or hope

vv. 59–61 — false testimony sought, and found at last

Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus,independent — ψευδομαρτυρίαν — Matthew says outright what they sought; the verdict precedes the evidence

that they might put him to death,purpose — ὅπως-purpose — the goal fixed in advance

and they found none,independent — the search fails

though many false witnesses came forward.participial — concessive genitive absolute, trailing — anchored backward on εὗρον

But at last two, coming forward,participial — preposed participle with its subject — δύο, the two witnesses Deut 19:15 requires; leans on εἶπαν (v. 61)

said:independent — the charge that finally stands

'This man said:content — testimony quoting a quotation — speech nests

“I am able to destroy the temple of Godcontent — Matthew's form: δύναμαι, a claim of power, not intent — and no χειροποίητον; near enough to 24:2 and John 2:19 to sting

and to rebuild it in three days.”'content — διὰ τριῶν ἡμερῶν — the resurrection shimmer inside the charge (27:40, 63)

vv. 62–64 — the adjuration and the answer

And the high priest, standing up,participial — preposed participle — center stage; leans on εἶπεν

said to him:independent — the interrogation turns direct

'Do you answer nothing?content — the goading question

What is it that these testify against you?'content — the two witnesses waved at

But Jesus was silent.independent — Isa 53:7 — the Servant's silence; durative imperfect

And the high priest said to him:independent — the decisive move

'I adjure you by the living Godcontent — the formal adjuration — only Matthew; silence is no longer an option (cf. Lev 5:1)

to tell uscontent — ἵνα-complement of the oath-formula

whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.'content — indirect question εἰ — the two titles of Peter's confession (16:16) on hostile lips

Jesus says to him:independent — historic present — the silence ends

'You have said it.content — σὺ εἶπας — the qualified affirmative given to Judas (v. 25): yes, but on your lips, not my terms (Mark's blunt ἐγώ εἰμι recast)

But I tell you,content — πλήν + plural ὑμῖν — over the high priest's head to the whole court

from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Powercontent — Ps 110:1 — ἡ δύναμις, the reverential surrogate; ἀπ’ ἄρτι, Matthew's 'from now on' (v. 29): the reversal begins here

and coming on the clouds of heaven.'participial — Dan 7:13 fused with the psalm — judge and judged exchanged

vv. 65–68 — blasphemy, sentence, mockery

Then the high priest tore his garments,independent — the ritual rending at blasphemy (cf. 2 Kgs 18:37)

saying:participial — the speech-frame for the verdict

'He has blasphemed!content — the charge named outright — only Matthew has the verb

Why do we still have need of witnesses?content — the sought-for witnesses gladly abandoned

See, now you have heard the blasphemy.content — ἴδε νῦν — the court itself made the second witness

What is your judgment?'content — the verdict called for

And they, answering,participial — preposed participle — leans on εἶπαν

said:independent — the court speaks as one

'He deserves death.'content — ἔνοχος θανάτου — the capital verdict, in Matthew direct speech (cf. Lev 24:16)

Then they spat in his faceindependent — Isa 50:6 — the Servant's face not hidden from spitting; 20:19 fulfilled item by item

and struck him with their fists,independent — κολαφίζω — the buffeting

and others slapped him,independent — οἱ δέ — a second group; ῥαπίζω, the open-handed blow (5:39)

saying:participial — the taunt-frame

'Prophesy to us, you Christ:content — χριστέ — the title as taunt; the vocative only here in the NT

who is it that struck you?'content — the blind-man's-buff question (Mark implies the blindfold Matthew omits) — while his prophecy comes true in the courtyard below

Peter's three denials — and the bitter weeping 26:69–75

vv. 69–70 — the first denial: before them all

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard.independent — ἔξω — Jesus confesses under oath inside while Peter denies outside; the chapter's cruel symmetry

And a servant girl came up to him,independent — μία παιδίσκη — the least imposing accuser

saying:participial — the speech-frame

'You also were with Jesus the Galilean.'content — καὶ σύ — you too; τοῦ Γαλιλαίου, the association is the whole charge

But he denied it before them all,independent — ἠρνήσατο — the first of three; ἔμπροσθεν πάντων, the very setting of 10:33 ('whoever denies me before men...')

saying:participial — the speech-frame

'I do not knowcontent — the disclaimer

what you are saying.'content — indirect question — feigned incomprehension

vv. 71–72 — the second denial: with an oath

And as he went out to the gateway,participial — accusative participle, proleptic object of εἶδεν — the retreat toward the gate; leans on εἶδεν

another girl saw himindependent — ἄλλη — a second accuser (Mark: the same girl)

and says to those there:independent — historic present — the charge goes public

'This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.'content — οὗτος — talked about now, no longer talked to; Ναζωραῖος, Matthew's form (2:23)

And again he denied it, with an oath:independent — μετὰ ὅρκου — the escalation: the oath 5:34 forbade; recitative ὅτι

'I do not know the man.'content — τὸν ἄνθρωπον — he will not even say the name

vv. 73–75 — the third denial, the cock, the weeping

And after a little while the bystanders, coming up,participial — preposed participle with its subject — the crowd closes in; leans on εἶπον

said to Peter:independent — the third round

'Certainly you also are one of them,content — ἀληθῶς — the charge hardens to certainty

for your speech gives you away.'cause — ἡ λαλιά σου — the Galilean accent; Matthew spells out what Mark's 'Galilean' implies

Then he began to invoke a curse and to swear:independent — καταθεματίζειν — anathema and oath where a word once sufficed; recitative ὅτι

'I do not know the man.'content — the third denial — verbatim the second; the escalation is all in the framing

And immediately a cock crowed.independent — εὐθέως — Matthew's single crow (v. 34), on cue

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus,independent — the remembering — v. 34 replayed entire

who had said:participial — genitive perfect participle agreeing with Ἰησοῦ — the recitative ὅτι introduces the quotation

'Before a cock crows,conditional — temporal πρίν (typed cnd; no temporal key) — leans on ἀπαρνήσῃ

you will deny me three times.'content — the prediction verbatim (v. 34) — τρίς now counted out

And going outside,participial — preposed participle — ἔξω, out of the courtyard and the story until Galilee; leans on ἔκλαυσεν

he wept bitterly.independent — πικρῶς — the aorist burst of bitter tears; the chapter ends on them

Analysis. Matthew 26 is the Gospel's longest chapter — the whole passion night — and the layout shows Matthew rewriting Mark's shape in his own hand: the purple mainline still drums (came, poured, weighed out, broke, gave, seized, led away, condemned, denied, wept), but the hinges now swing on Τότε (vv. 3, 14, 36, 45, 50, 52, 65, 67, 74) as much as on the historic presents (λέγει, ἔρχεται, εὑρίσκει), and the chapter opens with the fifth and final Καὶ ἐγένετο ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν formula — with πάντας: the teaching is complete, and Jesus himself, not the narrator, dates the passion (v. 2). Matthew's signatures stand where Mark is anonymous or spare: Caiaphas named twice, the thirty pieces of silver weighed out from Zech 11:12, Judas's own Μήτι ἐγώ εἰμι answered with ῥαββί where the eleven say κύριε, the cup commanded (Πίετε, not narrated) and given εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν — the forgiveness his name promised (1:21), Gethsemane's Πάτερ μου for Mark's Abba with the second prayer praying the Lord's Prayer verbatim (γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, 6:10), the sword-saying and the twelve legions refused so that the Scriptures be fulfilled, the high priest's formal adjuration answered by σὺ εἶπας — the same deflecting affirmative given to Judas — before the fusion of Ps 110:1 and Dan 7:13, and a single cock-crow where Mark counts two. Speech hangs blue in quantity, nesting to a message-within-the-message (the disciples are to quote Ὁ διδάσκαλος λέγει, v. 18); quoted protases lean forward one step above their apodoses — Εἰ πάντες, Κἂν δέῃ, Ὃν ἂν φιλήσω, εἰ δυνατόν ἐστιν, ὅπου ἐάν, and the second prayer's εἰ οὐ δύναται with its nested ἐὰν μή — while the second-class εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη trails backward on καλόν. Cruxes are taken openly: Ἑταῖρε, ἐφ’ ὃ πάρει (v. 50) is glossed as brachylogy ('that for which you are here') with the question-reading noted; Καθεύδετε τὸ λοιπόν (v. 45) is printed as the bitter question; the ὅτι of v. 54 is read epexegetically. The architecture is Matthew's own cruel symmetry sharpened: Jesus confesses under oath inside while Peter, who denies ἔμπροσθεν πάντων and then μετὰ ὅρκου — the oath 5:34 forbade — breaks the teaching he heard, remembers, and weeps πικρῶς.