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
1
Καὶ ἐγένετοindependent — the Semitic ויהי-frame — the narrative resumes for the last time
ὅτε ἐτέλεσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς πάντας τοὺς λόγους τούτους,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
εἶπεν τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ·independent — from discourse to passion in one verse
2
Οἴδατεcontent — the knowledge appealed to — the date is public
ὅτι μετὰ δύο ἡμέρας τὸ πάσχα γίνεται,content — Mark's narrator-date spoken by Jesus himself — the passion clock is his
καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοταιcontent — futuristic present παραδίδοται — the keyword verb of the chapter enters
εἰς τὸ σταυρωθῆναι.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
3
Τότε συνήχθησαν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τοῦ λαοῦ εἰς τὴν αὐλὴν τοῦ ἀρχιερέως τοῦ λεγομένου Καϊάφα,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
4
καὶ συνεβουλεύσαντοindependent — συνεβουλεύσαντο — the formal resolution (cf. 12:14; 22:15; 27:1; 28:12)
ἵνα τὸν Ἰησοῦν δόλῳ κρατήσωσιν καὶ ἀποκτείνωσιν·purpose — δόλῳ — the required stealth; κρατέω and ἀποκτείνω, the plot's two verbs
5
ἔλεγον δέ·independent — imperfect — their deliberation quoted
Μὴ ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ,content — verbless prohibition — the arrest must dodge the festival; events will overrule them
ἵνα μὴ θόρυβος γένηται ἐν τῷ λαῷ.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
6
Τοῦ δὲ Ἰησοῦ γενομένου ἐν Βηθανίᾳ ἐν οἰκίᾳ Σίμωνος τοῦ λεπροῦ,participial — genitive absolute — the scene set at a leper's table; leans on προσῆλθεν
7
προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ γυνὴindependent — προσῆλθεν — Matthew's approach-verb; the unnamed counter-figure to the plotters and to Judas
ἔχουσα ἀλάβαστρον μύρου βαρυτίμουparticipial — βαρύτιμος — only here in the NT; the extravagance is the point
καὶ κατέχεεν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ ἀνακειμένου.independent — the head anointed — a royal-messianic gesture; the genitive participle ἀνακειμένου folded in
8
ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ μαθηταὶparticipial — preposed aorist participle with its subject — leans on ἠγανάκτησαν
ἠγανάκτησανindependent — in Matthew the indignant are the disciples themselves (Mark: 'some')
λέγοντες·participial — the speech-frame for the protest
Εἰς τί ἡ ἀπώλεια αὕτη;content — verbless question — ἀπώλεια, 'ruin'; the deed read as sheer loss
9
ἐδύνατο γὰρ τοῦτο πραθῆναι πολλοῦ καὶ δοθῆναι πτωχοῖς.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
10
γνοὺς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦςparticipial — γνούς — the unspoken grumbling read (cf. 12:15; 16:8); leans on εἶπεν
εἶπεν αὐτοῖς·independent — the defense opens
Τί κόπους παρέχετε τῇ γυναικί;content — the counter-question
ἔργον γὰρ καλὸν ἠργάσατο εἰς ἐμέ·content — ἔργον καλόν — the verdict reversed: not waste but beauty
11
πάντοτε γὰρ τοὺς πτωχοὺς ἔχετε μεθ’ ἑαυτῶν,cause — Deut 15:11 — the poor remain; no license for neglect
ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε·cause — fronted ἐμέ — the fleeting bodily presence
12
βαλοῦσα γὰρ αὕτη τὸ μύρον τοῦτο ἐπὶ τοῦ σώματός μουparticipial — preposed aorist participle — leans on ἐποίησεν
πρὸς τὸ ἐνταφιάσαι με ἐποίησεν.cause — πρὸς τό + infinitive — the anointing read as proleptic burial rite; the women at the tomb come too late (28:1)
13
ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν,content — the ἀμήν-formula — the solemn promise
ὅπου ἐὰν κηρυχθῇ τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦτο ἐν ὅλῳ τῷ κόσμῳ,conditional — indefinite local ὅπου ἐάν (typed cnd) — leans on λαληθήσεται; τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦτο, the worldwide mission assumed (24:14; 28:19)
λαληθήσεται καὶ ὃ ἐποίησεν αὕτη εἰς μνημόσυνον αὐτῆς.content — εἰς μνημόσυνον — her deed folded into the gospel's telling
Judas's bargain — thirty pieces of silver 26:14–16
14
Τότε πορευθεὶς εἷς τῶν δώδεκα, ὁ λεγόμενος Ἰούδας Ἰσκαριώτης, πρὸς τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖςparticipial — preposed participle with its subject — Τότε again; εἷς τῶν δώδεκα, treachery from within, framed against the woman's devotion; leans on εἶπεν (v. 15)
15
εἶπεν·independent — in Matthew Judas speaks first — the initiative is his
Τί θέλετέ μοι δοῦναι,content — the price asked — only Matthew makes greed the stated motive
κἀγὼ ὑμῖν παραδώσω αὐτόν;content — κἀγώ-parataxis — the offer and its condition in one breath
οἱ δὲ ἔστησαν αὐτῷ τριάκοντα ἀργύρια.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
16
καὶ ἀπὸ τότε ἐζήτει εὐκαιρίανindependent — ἀπὸ τότε — the clock of treachery starts; imperfect ἐζήτει, the ongoing hunt
ἵνα αὐτὸν παραδῷ.purpose — ἵνα unpacking εὐκαιρίαν — the opportune moment defined by its purpose
The Passover prepared 26:17–19
17
Τῇ δὲ πρώτῃ τῶν ἀζύμωνphrase modifier — fronted time-frame — 14 Nisan; leans on προσῆλθον
προσῆλθον οἱ μαθηταὶ τῷ Ἰησοῦindependent — the preparation scene opens
λέγοντες·participial — the speech-frame
Ποῦ θέλεις ἑτοιμάσωμέν σοιcontent — deliberative subjunctive folded under θέλεις
φαγεῖν τὸ πάσχα;purpose — infinitive of purpose — σοι... φαγεῖν, his meal
18
ὁ δὲ εἶπεν·independent — the instructions — Matthew compresses Mark's water-jar sign to a word
Ὑπάγετε εἰς τὴν πόλιν πρὸς τὸν δεῖναcontent — ὁ δεῖνα — 'so-and-so'; only here in the NT: the host known but unnamed
καὶ εἴπατε αὐτῷ·content — the message to relay
Ὁ διδάσκαλος λέγει·content — the message-within-the-message — speech nests a level deeper
Ὁ καιρός μου ἐγγύς ἐστιν·content — ὁ καιρός μου — only Matthew: the appointed hour claimed as his own (cf. ἤγγικεν, vv. 45–46)
πρὸς σὲ ποιῶ τὸ πάσχα μετὰ τῶν μαθητῶν μου.content — futuristic present ποιῶ — the Teacher's quiet claim on the room
19
καὶ ἐποίησαν οἱ μαθηταὶindependent — the obedience
ὡς συνέταξεν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς,comparative — συνέταξεν — Matthew's obedience-formula (1:24; 21:6; 27:10)
καὶ ἡτοίμασαν τὸ πάσχα.independent — the preparation closed
The betrayer announced at table 26:20–25
vv. 20–22 — one of you will betray me
20
Ὀψίας δὲ γενομένηςparticipial — genitive absolute — Passover is eaten after sundown; leans on ἀνέκειτο
ἀνέκειτο μετὰ τῶν δώδεκα.independent — the Twelve at table, betrayer included
21
καὶ ἐσθιόντων αὐτῶνparticipial — genitive absolute — leans on εἶπεν
εἶπεν·independent — the announcement at table
Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖνcontent — the ἀμήν-formula
ὅτι εἷς ἐξ ὑμῶν παραδώσει με.content — εἷς ἐξ ὑμῶν — the wound named at the meal (cf. Ps 41:9)
22
καὶ λυπούμενοι σφόδραparticipial — preposed present participle — σφόδρα, Matthew's intensifier; leans on ἤρξαντο
ἤρξαντο λέγειν αὐτῷ εἷς ἕκαστος·independent — εἷς ἕκαστος — the round of sorrow
Μήτι ἐγώ εἰμι, κύριε;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
23
ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶςparticipial — pleonastic ἀποκριθείς — leans on εἶπεν
εἶπεν·independent — the answer that names no name — yet
Ὁ ἐμβάψας μετ’ ἐμοῦ τὴν χεῖρα ἐν τῷ τρυβλίῳ οὗτός με παραδώσει.content — casus pendens resumed by οὗτος — Ps 41:9; the shared bowl marks the intimacy betrayed
24
ὁ μὲν υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὑπάγειcontent — ὑπάγει — the departure is willed, not accidental; the μέν awaiting its δέ
καθὼς γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ,comparative — the path is Scripture's — no text cited, the whole pattern claimed
οὐαὶ δὲ τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳcontent — the balancing δέ — divine plan cancels no guilt; verbless woe
δι’ οὗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται·relative — δι’ οὗ — the human agency inside the divine passive
καλὸν ἦν αὐτῷcontent — ἦν without ἄν — the unreal apodosis; Matthew supplies the verb Mark omits
εἰ οὐκ ἐγεννήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος.conditional — second-class protasis, trailing — anchored backward on καλόν
25
ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ Ἰούδας ὁ παραδιδοὺς αὐτὸνparticipial — only Matthew — the betrayer forced to join the round; leans on εἶπεν
εἶπεν·independent — the question he must ask to keep his mask
Μήτι ἐγώ εἰμι, ῥαββί;content — ῥαββί, not κύριε — the betrayer's address, repeated at the kiss (v. 49)
λέγει αὐτῷ·independent — historic present — the quiet unmasking
Σὺ εἶπας.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
26
Ἐσθιόντων δὲ αὐτῶνparticipial — genitive absolute — leans on ἔκλασεν
λαβὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἄρτονparticipial — preposed participle — the first of the supper verbs
καὶ εὐλογήσαςparticipial — the table berakah — one word
ἔκλασενindependent — the breaking — the act that will name the meal
καὶ δοὺς τοῖς μαθηταῖςparticipial — preposed participle — in Matthew the giving folds into the chain; leans on εἶπεν
εἶπεν·independent — the word over the bread
Λάβετε φάγετε,content — asyndetic double imperative — Matthew adds φάγετε
τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ σῶμά μου.content — the identification — bread and body, left unglossed
vv. 27–29 — the cup, and the vow of abstention
27
καὶ λαβὼν ποτήριονparticipial — preposed participle — the cup follows the bread; leans on ἔδωκεν
καὶ εὐχαριστήσαςparticipial — εὐχαριστήσας — whence 'Eucharist'
ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖςindependent — the giving
λέγων·participial — the word over the cup
Πίετε ἐξ αὐτοῦ πάντες,content — the command Mark narrates (πάντες ἔπιον) Matthew makes an imperative
28
τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν τὸ αἷμά μου τῆς διαθήκης τὸ περὶ πολλῶν ἐκχυννόμενον εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν.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)
29
λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν,content — the solemn vow — without Mark's ἀμήν
οὐ μὴ πίω ἀπ’ ἄρτι ἐκ τούτου τοῦ γενήματος τῆς ἀμπέλουcontent — οὐ μή — the strongest denial; ἀπ’ ἄρτι, Matthew's 'from now on' (vv. 29, 64)
ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνηςphrase modifier — the eschatological horizon
ὅταν αὐτὸ πίνω μεθ’ ὑμῶν καινὸν ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ πατρός μου.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
30
Καὶ ὑμνήσαντεςparticipial — the Passover Hallel (Pss 113–118) — leans on ἐξῆλθον
ἐξῆλθον εἰς τὸ ὄρος τῶν Ἐλαιῶν.independent — out of the city, toward Gethsemane
31
Τότε λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς·independent — Τότε + historic present
Πάντες ὑμεῖς σκανδαλισθήσεσθε ἐν ἐμοὶ ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ταύτῃ,content — πάντες ὑμεῖς — no exceptions; ἐν ἐμοί and ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ταύτῃ, Matthew sharpening cause and time
γέγραπται γάρ·cause — the ground — Scripture already says it
Πατάξω τὸν ποιμένα,content — Zech 13:7 — first person: God himself strikes
καὶ διασκορπισθήσονται τὰ πρόβατα τῆς ποίμνης.content — Zech 13:7 — τῆς ποίμνης is Matthew's addition; fulfilled at v. 56
32
μετὰ δὲ τὸ ἐγερθῆναί μεphrase modifier — fronted articular infinitive — leans on προάξω; resurrection assumed mid-doom
προάξω ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν.content — προάξω — the shepherd ahead of the flock again (28:7, 16)
vv. 33–35 — Peter's protest and the cock-crow prediction
33
ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Πέτροςparticipial — pleonastic ἀποκριθείς — the Rock against the prophecy; leans on εἶπεν
εἶπεν αὐτῷ·independent — the protest
Εἰ πάντες σκανδαλισθήσονται ἐν σοί,conditional — concessive εἰ — Peter grants the rest their fall; leans on σκανδαλισθήσομαι
ἐγὼ οὐδέποτε σκανδαλισθήσομαι.content — emphatic ἐγώ + οὐδέποτε — the vow that will collapse in the courtyard
34
ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς·independent — the precise counter-prediction
Ἀμὴν λέγω σοιcontent — the ἀμήν-formula, now singular — σοι
ὅτι ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με.content — Matthew's single cock-crow (Mark counts two); kept in one clause with its embedded πρίν
35
λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος·independent — historic present — the protest doubled
Κἂν δέῃ με σὺν σοὶ ἀποθανεῖν,conditional — concessive κἄν — death itself conceded; leans on ἀπαρνήσομαι
οὐ μή σε ἀπαρνήσομαι.content — οὐ μή — the same emphatic negation Jesus used of the wine (v. 29)
ὁμοίως καὶ πάντες οἱ μαθηταὶ εἶπαν.independent — the πάντες echo — all vow, all will flee (v. 56)
Gethsemane — the three prayers 26:36–46
vv. 36–38 — sorrowful unto death
36
Τότε ἔρχεται μετ’ αὐτῶν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς χωρίον λεγόμενον Γεθσημανί,independent — Τότε + historic present — Γεθσημανί, 'oil-press,' on the Mount of Olives
καὶ λέγει τοῖς μαθηταῖς·independent — historic present
Καθίσατε αὐτοῦcontent — αὐτοῦ — the adverb 'here'; the eight left at the edge
ἕως οὗ ἀπελθὼν ἐκεῖ προσεύξωμαι.conditional — temporal ἕως οὗ (typed cnd; no temporal key) — the participle ἀπελθών folded in
37
καὶ παραλαβὼν τὸν Πέτρον καὶ τοὺς δύο υἱοὺς Ζεβεδαίουparticipial — preposed participle — the inner three (17:1), witnesses now of the anguish; leans on ἤρξατο
ἤρξατο λυπεῖσθαι καὶ ἀδημονεῖν.independent — Matthew's λυπεῖσθαι softens Mark's ἐκθαμβεῖσθαι — grief rather than horror, but ἀδημονεῖν stays
38
τότε λέγει αὐτοῖς·independent — historic present
Περίλυπός ἐστιν ἡ ψυχή μου ἕως θανάτου·content — the refrain of Pss 42–43 — sorrow at killing depth
μείνατε ὧδεcontent — the charge to the three
καὶ γρηγορεῖτε μετ’ ἐμοῦ.content — μετ’ ἐμοῦ — Matthew's addition: companionship asked for, and refused by sleep
vv. 39–41 — the first prayer: the cup
39
καὶ προελθὼν μικρὸνparticipial — preposed participle — leans on ἔπεσεν
ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦindependent — ἐπὶ πρόσωπον — full prostration, the posture of Gen 17:3
προσευχόμενος καὶ λέγων·participial — the double speech-frame for the first prayer
Πάτερ μου,phrase modifier — Matthew's Πάτερ μου for Mark's Ἀββὰ ὁ πατήρ — the Son's own address (11:25–27)
εἰ δυνατόν ἐστιν,conditional — first-class protasis — leans on παρελθάτω
παρελθάτω ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ τὸ ποτήριον τοῦτο·content — third-person imperative — the cup, the OT cup of wrath (Isa 51:17; cf. 20:22)
πλὴν οὐχ ὡς ἐγὼ θέλωcontent — the turn — the will surrendered
ἀλλ’ ὡς σύ.content — elliptical — θέλεις unexpressed; the Father's will stands alone
40
καὶ ἔρχεται πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰςindependent — historic present — the first return
καὶ εὑρίσκει αὐτοὺς καθεύδοντας,independent — historic present + supplementary participle — the watch already failed
καὶ λέγει τῷ Πέτρῳ·independent — historic present — the rebuke to the loudest vower
Οὕτως οὐκ ἰσχύσατε μίαν ὥραν γρηγορῆσαι μετ’ ἐμοῦ;content — plural verb through Peter — the vower answers for all; μετ’ ἐμοῦ again: the refused companionship
41
γρηγορεῖτε καὶ προσεύχεσθε,content — the double imperative
ἵνα μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς πειρασμόν·purpose — πειρασμός — the Lord's Prayer's sixth petition (6:13) made urgent
τὸ μὲν πνεῦμα πρόθυμον,content — verbless μέν-half
ἡ δὲ σὰρξ ἀσθενής.content — verbless δέ-half — the anthropology of the sleeping three
vv. 42–44 — the second and third prayers: thy will be done
42
πάλιν ἐκ δευτέρου ἀπελθὼνparticipial — preposed participle — πάλιν ἐκ δευτέρου doubled; leans on προσηύξατο
προσηύξατοindependent — the second prayer — in Matthew its words are new
λέγων·participial — the speech-frame
Πάτερ μου,phrase modifier — the address repeated
εἰ οὐ δύναται τοῦτο παρελθεῖνconditional — first-class protasis with οὐ — the impossibility now assumed; leans on γενηθήτω
ἐὰν μὴ αὐτὸ πίω,conditional — protasis within the protasis — ἐὰν μή, anchored backward on παρελθεῖν
γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου.content — the Lord's Prayer's third petition verbatim (6:10) — the teacher prays his own prayer
43
καὶ ἐλθὼν πάλινparticipial — preposed participle — leans on εὗρεν
εὗρεν αὐτοὺς καθεύδοντας,independent — the second failure
ἦσαν γὰρ αὐτῶν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ βεβαρημένοι.cause — narrator's γάρ-aside — periphrastic; the flesh's weakness enacted
44
καὶ ἀφεὶς αὐτοὺςparticipial — preposed participle — leans on προσηύξατο
πάλιν ἀπελθὼνparticipial — second preposed participle — the πάλιν-refrain
προσηύξατο ἐκ τρίτου τὸν αὐτὸν λόγον εἰπὼν πάλιν.independent — ἐκ τρίτου — three prayers, matching the three denials to come; the trailing εἰπών kept in line
vv. 45–46 — the hour has come
45
τότε ἔρχεται πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰςindependent — historic present — the third return
καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς·independent — historic present
Καθεύδετε τὸ λοιπὸν καὶ ἀναπαύεσθε·content — question or bitter irony — either way the watch is over; printed as the question
ἰδοὺ ἤγγικεν ἡ ὥραcontent — ἡ ὥρα — ὁ καιρός μου of v. 18 arriving
καὶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἁμαρτωλῶν.content — ἰδού + dramatic present — 17:22 arriving in real time
46
ἐγείρεσθε,content — the rousing imperative
ἄγωμεν·content — ἄγωμεν — toward the betrayer, not away
ἰδοὺ ἤγγικεν ὁ παραδιδούς με.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
47
Καὶ ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντοςparticipial — genitive absolute — word and event collide; leans on ἦλθεν
ἰδοὺ Ἰούδας εἷς τῶν δώδεκα ἦλθενindependent — ἰδού — εἷς τῶν δώδεκα repeated like a wound (vv. 14, 47)
καὶ μετ’ αὐτοῦ ὄχλος πολὺς μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων ἀπὸ τῶν ἀρχιερέων καὶ πρεσβυτέρων τοῦ λαοῦ.independent — elliptical — the armed posse; the same 'elders of the people' who plotted (v. 3)
48
ὁ δὲ παραδιδοὺς αὐτὸν ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς σημεῖονindependent — the kiss prearranged — aorist where Mark has the pluperfect flashback
λέγων·participial — the speech-frame for the arrangement
Ὃν ἂν φιλήσωconditional — indefinite relative as protasis — leans on ἐστιν; the greeting weaponized
αὐτός ἐστιν·content — the identification — apodosis to the kiss-clause
κρατήσατε αὐτόν.content — the order — κρατέω, the plot's verb (v. 4)
49
καὶ εὐθέως προσελθὼν τῷ Ἰησοῦparticipial — preposed participle — no hesitation; leans on εἶπεν
εἶπεν·independent — the mask of greeting
Χαῖρε, ῥαββί·content — Χαῖρε — the everyday hail; ῥαββί again, the betrayer's address (v. 25)
καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν.independent — κατεφίλησεν — the intensive kiss; the sign performed with warmth
50
ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ·independent — the answer only Matthew records
Ἑταῖρε, ἐφ’ ὃ πάρει.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)
τότε προσελθόντεςparticipial — preposed participle — leans on ἐπέβαλον
ἐπέβαλον τὰς χεῖρας ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰησοῦνindependent — εἰς χεῖρας ἁμαρτωλῶν (v. 45) made literal
καὶ ἐκράτησαν αὐτόν.independent — ἐκράτησαν — the verb the priests have sought since v. 4
vv. 51–54 — the sword drawn and refused
51
καὶ ἰδοὺ εἷς τῶν μετὰ Ἰησοῦ ἐκτείνας τὴν χεῖραparticipial — preposed participle with its subject — the swordsman Matthew leaves nameless (John names Peter); leans on ἀπέσπασεν
ἀπέσπασεν τὴν μάχαιραν αὐτοῦindependent — the one blow of resistance begins
καὶ πατάξας τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ ἀρχιερέωςparticipial — πατάξας — the verb of the Zechariah citation (v. 31) misapplied by a disciple; leans on ἀφεῖλεν
ἀφεῖλεν αὐτοῦ τὸ ὠτίον.independent — τὸ ὠτίον — unhealed in Matthew (Luke alone heals it)
52
τότε λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς·independent — Τότε + historic present — the rebuke, only in Matthew
Ἀπόστρεψον τὴν μάχαιράν σου εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῆς·content — the disarming command
πάντες γὰρ οἱ λαβόντες μάχαιραν ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀπολοῦνται.cause — the sword-saying — proverbial lex talionis (cf. Gen 9:6); only Matthew
53
ἢ δοκεῖςcontent — the alternative dismissed before it is thought
ὅτι οὐ δύναμαι παρακαλέσαι τὸν πατέρα μου,content — παρακαλέσαι — the appeal he will not make; τὸν πατέρα μου, the Gethsemane address continued
καὶ παραστήσει μοι ἄρτι πλείω δώδεκα λεγιῶνας ἀγγέλων;content — parataxis inside the ὅτι-clause — twelve legions, one per disciple and their Lord; ἄρτι, this instant
54
πῶς οὖν πληρωθῶσιν αἱ γραφαὶcontent — deliberative subjunctive — power declined for fulfillment's sake
ὅτι οὕτως δεῖ γενέσθαι;content — epexegetic ὅτι — the Scriptures' content: the divine δεῖ
vv. 55–56 — the daylight teacher, the fleeing disciples
55
Ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ εἶπεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοῖς ὄχλοις·independent — ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ — the hour of v. 45, now the timestamp
Ὡς ἐπὶ λῃστὴν ἐξήλθατε μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλωνcontent — λῃστής — the brigand-word; the same word flanks the cross (27:38)
συλλαβεῖν με;purpose — infinitive of purpose
καθ’ ἡμέραν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ ἐκαθεζόμην διδάσκωνcontent — ἐκαθεζόμην — the teacher's posture; nothing clandestine
καὶ οὐκ ἐκρατήσατέ με.content — the daylight arrest they never dared
56
τοῦτο δὲ ὅλον γέγονενcontent — in Matthew still Jesus' words (in Mark arguably the evangelist's aside)
ἵνα πληρωθῶσιν αἱ γραφαὶ τῶν προφητῶν.purpose — Matthew's fulfillment-formula (1:22; 21:4), spoken for once by Jesus himself
τότε οἱ μαθηταὶ πάντες ἀφέντες αὐτὸνparticipial — preposed participle — ἀφέντες, the verb of leaving nets (4:20) inverted; leans on ἔφυγον
ἔφυγον.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
57
Οἱ δὲ κρατήσαντες τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἀπήγαγον πρὸς Καϊάφαν τὸν ἀρχιερέα,independent — substantival participle as subject — ἀπήγαγον; Caiaphas named again (v. 3)
ὅπου οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι συνήχθησαν.relative — local relative — συνήχθησαν again (v. 3): the Ps 2:2 gathering completes itself
58
ὁ δὲ Πέτρος ἠκολούθει αὐτῷ ἀπὸ μακρόθεν ἕως τῆς αὐλῆς τοῦ ἀρχιερέως,independent — ἀπὸ μακρόθεν — following, but at the distance that ends in denial; imperfect
καὶ εἰσελθὼν ἔσωparticipial — preposed participle — leans on ἐκάθητο
ἐκάθητο μετὰ τῶν ὑπηρετῶνindependent — settled among the guards
ἰδεῖν τὸ τέλος.purpose — ἰδεῖν τὸ τέλος — only Matthew: the spectator's dread, or hope
vv. 59–61 — false testimony sought, and found at last
59
Οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ τὸ συνέδριον ὅλον ἐζήτουν ψευδομαρτυρίαν κατὰ τοῦ Ἰησοῦindependent — ψευδομαρτυρίαν — Matthew says outright what they sought; the verdict precedes the evidence
ὅπως αὐτὸν θανατώσωσιν,purpose — ὅπως-purpose — the goal fixed in advance
60
καὶ οὐχ εὗρονindependent — the search fails
πολλῶν προσελθόντων ψευδομαρτύρων.participial — concessive genitive absolute, trailing — anchored backward on εὗρον
ὕστερον δὲ προσελθόντες δύοparticipial — preposed participle with its subject — δύο, the two witnesses Deut 19:15 requires; leans on εἶπαν (v. 61)
61
εἶπαν·independent — the charge that finally stands
Οὗτος ἔφη·content — testimony quoting a quotation — speech nests
Δύναμαι καταλῦσαι τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦcontent — Matthew's form: δύναμαι, a claim of power, not intent — and no χειροποίητον; near enough to 24:2 and John 2:19 to sting
καὶ διὰ τριῶν ἡμερῶν οἰκοδομῆσαι.content — διὰ τριῶν ἡμερῶν — the resurrection shimmer inside the charge (27:40, 63)
vv. 62–64 — the adjuration and the answer
62
καὶ ἀναστὰς ὁ ἀρχιερεὺςparticipial — preposed participle — center stage; leans on εἶπεν
εἶπεν αὐτῷ·independent — the interrogation turns direct
Οὐδὲν ἀποκρίνῃ;content — the goading question
τί οὗτοί σου καταμαρτυροῦσιν;content — the two witnesses waved at
63
ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἐσιώπα.independent — Isa 53:7 — the Servant's silence; durative imperfect
καὶ ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς εἶπεν αὐτῷ·independent — the decisive move
Ἐξορκίζω σε κατὰ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ζῶντοςcontent — the formal adjuration — only Matthew; silence is no longer an option (cf. Lev 5:1)
ἵνα ἡμῖν εἴπῃςcontent — ἵνα-complement of the oath-formula
εἰ σὺ εἶ ὁ χριστὸς ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ.content — indirect question εἰ — the two titles of Peter's confession (16:16) on hostile lips
64
λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς·independent — historic present — the silence ends
Σὺ εἶπας·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)
πλὴν λέγω ὑμῖν,content — πλήν + plural ὑμῖν — over the high priest's head to the whole court
ἀπ’ ἄρτι ὄψεσθε τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου καθήμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν τῆς δυνάμεωςcontent — Ps 110:1 — ἡ δύναμις, the reverential surrogate; ἀπ’ ἄρτι, Matthew's 'from now on' (v. 29): the reversal begins here
καὶ ἐρχόμενον ἐπὶ τῶν νεφελῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ.participial — Dan 7:13 fused with the psalm — judge and judged exchanged
vv. 65–68 — blasphemy, sentence, mockery
65
τότε ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς διέρρηξεν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦindependent — the ritual rending at blasphemy (cf. 2 Kgs 18:37)
λέγων·participial — the speech-frame for the verdict
Ἐβλασφήμησεν·content — the charge named outright — only Matthew has the verb
τί ἔτι χρείαν ἔχομεν μαρτύρων;content — the sought-for witnesses gladly abandoned
ἴδε νῦν ἠκούσατε τὴν βλασφημίαν·content — ἴδε νῦν — the court itself made the second witness
66
τί ὑμῖν δοκεῖ;content — the verdict called for
οἱ δὲ ἀποκριθέντεςparticipial — preposed participle — leans on εἶπαν
εἶπαν·independent — the court speaks as one
Ἔνοχος θανάτου ἐστίν.content — ἔνοχος θανάτου — the capital verdict, in Matthew direct speech (cf. Lev 24:16)
67
τότε ἐνέπτυσαν εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦindependent — Isa 50:6 — the Servant's face not hidden from spitting; 20:19 fulfilled item by item
καὶ ἐκολάφισαν αὐτόν,independent — κολαφίζω — the buffeting
οἱ δὲ ἐράπισανindependent — οἱ δέ — a second group; ῥαπίζω, the open-handed blow (5:39)
68
λέγοντες·participial — the taunt-frame
Προφήτευσον ἡμῖν, χριστέ,content — χριστέ — the title as taunt; the vocative only here in the NT
τίς ἐστιν ὁ παίσας σε;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
69
Ὁ δὲ Πέτρος ἐκάθητο ἔξω ἐν τῇ αὐλῇ·independent — ἔξω — Jesus confesses under oath inside while Peter denies outside; the chapter's cruel symmetry
καὶ προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ μία παιδίσκηindependent — μία παιδίσκη — the least imposing accuser
λέγουσα·participial — the speech-frame
Καὶ σὺ ἦσθα μετὰ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Γαλιλαίου.content — καὶ σύ — you too; τοῦ Γαλιλαίου, the association is the whole charge
70
ὁ δὲ ἠρνήσατο ἔμπροσθεν πάντωνindependent — ἠρνήσατο — the first of three; ἔμπροσθεν πάντων, the very setting of 10:33 ('whoever denies me before men...')
λέγων·participial — the speech-frame
Οὐκ οἶδαcontent — the disclaimer
τί λέγεις.content — indirect question — feigned incomprehension
vv. 71–72 — the second denial: with an oath
71
ἐξελθόντα δὲ εἰς τὸν πυλῶναparticipial — accusative participle, proleptic object of εἶδεν — the retreat toward the gate; leans on εἶδεν
εἶδεν αὐτὸν ἄλληindependent — ἄλλη — a second accuser (Mark: the same girl)
καὶ λέγει τοῖς ἐκεῖ·independent — historic present — the charge goes public
Οὗτος ἦν μετὰ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου.content — οὗτος — talked about now, no longer talked to; Ναζωραῖος, Matthew's form (2:23)
72
καὶ πάλιν ἠρνήσατο μετὰ ὅρκου ὅτιindependent — μετὰ ὅρκου — the escalation: the oath 5:34 forbade; recitative ὅτι
Οὐκ οἶδα τὸν ἄνθρωπον.content — τὸν ἄνθρωπον — he will not even say the name
vv. 73–75 — the third denial, the cock, the weeping
73
μετὰ μικρὸν δὲ προσελθόντες οἱ ἑστῶτεςparticipial — preposed participle with its subject — the crowd closes in; leans on εἶπον
εἶπον τῷ Πέτρῳ·independent — the third round
Ἀληθῶς καὶ σὺ ἐξ αὐτῶν εἶ,content — ἀληθῶς — the charge hardens to certainty
καὶ γὰρ ἡ λαλιά σου δῆλόν σε ποιεῖ.cause — ἡ λαλιά σου — the Galilean accent; Matthew spells out what Mark's 'Galilean' implies
74
τότε ἤρξατο καταθεματίζειν καὶ ὀμνύειν ὅτιindependent — καταθεματίζειν — anathema and oath where a word once sufficed; recitative ὅτι
Οὐκ οἶδα τὸν ἄνθρωπον.content — the third denial — verbatim the second; the escalation is all in the framing
καὶ εὐθέως ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν.independent — εὐθέως — Matthew's single crow (v. 34), on cue
75
καὶ ἐμνήσθη ὁ Πέτρος τοῦ ῥήματος Ἰησοῦindependent — the remembering — v. 34 replayed entire
εἰρηκότος ὅτιparticipial — genitive perfect participle agreeing with Ἰησοῦ — the recitative ὅτι introduces the quotation
Πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαιconditional — temporal πρίν (typed cnd; no temporal key) — leans on ἀπαρνήσῃ
τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με·content — the prediction verbatim (v. 34) — τρίς now counted out
καὶ ἐξελθὼν ἔξωparticipial — preposed participle — ἔξω, out of the courtyard and the story until Galilee; leans on ἔκλαυσεν
ἔκλαυσεν πικρῶς.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.