Matthew 26:13-30 Explained – Judas, Passover, Lord’s Supper reveals the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, the preparation for the Passover, and the institution of the Lord’s Supper. In this passage, Judas asks the chief priests what they will give him to betray Christ, showing a heart focused on personal gain rather than obedience. At the same time, Jesus prepares His disciples for the Passover meal that will become the Lord’s table and the New Covenant in His blood. Matthew 26:13-30 shows the contrast between the covenant with Christ and betrayal for personal advantage. The passage also reveals the power of Christ’s blood to bring remission of sins and freedom from sin’s dominion.
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW BIBLE STUDY SERIES
This study of Matthew: Matthew 26:13-30 Judas Betrayal – Passover Audio is part of a verse-by-verse teaching series through the Gospel of Matthew.
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Next: Matthew 26-31-46 Gethsemane
Matthew 26:13-30 Explained – Judas, Passover, Lord’s Supper
Audio
Scriptures used in this lesson on Matthew 26:13-30
- Matthew 26:14-15, Acts 20:28-30, Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:13, Luke 22:8, Luke 22:15, John 13:26-30, John 18:4, John 10:17-18, Matthew 26:26-30, 1 John 1:7, Ephesians 2:1-5, Ephesians 2:13, Romans 6:14,
Matthew 26:13-30 – Judas and the Question What Will You Give Me
We are in Matthew chapter 26. The correct section is verses 13 through 30.
In today’s lesson, we look at Judas and his covenant with the Antichrist. Judas missed the true covenant with Christ. His heart question was simple: what will you give me, and what is in it for me? Many people live by that same principle. Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus. We must ask whether we sometimes look for small opportunities to sin or get by with something we know we should not do. In those moments, we betray the Lord in the same spirit. That is the direction I want us to consider as we study Judas.
The Passover is fulfilled in the Lord’s Supper. The blood of this covenant accomplishes what no other blood could do. The conclusion is clear: I do not have to sin. During a meeting this past Saturday, the discussion came up that everyone sins a little. The blood of Jesus Christ sets us free from sin. It breaks the dominion of the devil. Because of that, I do not have to sin.
If I sin, it is because I choose to sin. Nothing forces me to do it. Sin no longer has dominion over me (Romans 6:14). Jesus Christ has set me free. Either that truth stands, or the Bible and the power of the blood are not real. I believe the blood is real, and because of it, I do not have to sin.
Judas Covenants to Betray Jesus
That is where I want to end up today. My goal is to move toward the new covenant and the installation of the Lord’s table. I want us to finish by taking communion together and singing a hymn. Because of that plan, the first few pages will move quickly so we can arrive at that point.
The first section deals with Judas’ covenant. Matthew 26:13-30 begins with the tragic covenant Judas makes with the chief priests. One of the twelve, Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked what they would give him if he delivered Jesus to them. They agreed and covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. What stands out to me is that this betrayal came from one of the twelve. That detail is very significant (Matthew 26:14-16).
Matthew 26:14-15
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.
In the book of Acts, Paul stopped at Ephesus while traveling to Jerusalem. He called the Ephesian elders to meet him and gave them a warning. He told them that men would arise from among themselves. Those men would seek to draw disciples after themselves rather than remain faithful to the Lord (Acts 20:28-30).
Acts 20:28-30
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Betrayal From One of the Twelve
Division in a church almost always comes from those who should be the closest together. The casual Sunday Christian usually lacks the authority or following to damage a church. Trouble comes when those in leadership allow a crack in their unity. That opening allows the enemy to enter and create division. This pattern repeats again and again. Paul warned about it when he spoke to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:29-30).
When churches experience splits, the division often appears among the very people who lead them. In churches ruled by deacons, the split usually forms among the deacons. In churches led by elders, the division often appears among the elders. Those who should be closest together sometimes become the source of the problem. When leadership remains united, however, the enemy cannot enter. It is like a lion circling a house with all the doors and windows shut. Eventually, the lion must leave and look for another house to enter. The church should function the same way. Unity should be strong enough that the enemy finds no entrance.
Leaders must know one another’s lives. They should help one another with weaknesses and flaws. They must edify, correct, and minister to each other. One of the twelve should never be the problem. Yet Judas, one of the twelve, approached the priests and asked what they would give him to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-15).
The Danger of a Self-Centered Gospel
A second principle follows from that example. As long as “self” sits on the throne of my life, I have not bowed to Jesus. The lesson of Judas in Matthew 26:13-30 exposes the danger of a self-centered heart. When my interest is centered on myself, I cannot truly serve the kingdom. I must reach the place where I am no longer asking what is in it for me. Instead, I must seek for what benefits the kingdom of God (Matthew 16:24).
Because of that conviction, I do not preach a message that sells Jesus as a way to gain blessings. Some teach that if you come to Jesus, you will receive healing, prosperity, and everything you want. While the Lord does bless people, that is not the reason we come to Him. The gospel is not a vending machine approach to God. We do not insert our time or money and press a button to receive what we want. Jesus calls for obedience, not for a system in which we come to Him only to get something.
God demands obedience, and He will have an obedient people. A heart that constantly asks, “What is in it for me?” will eventually betray Christ. That mindset always finds a place to turn away because the Lord will not give us everything we want. For that reason, I do not preach a message that sells Jesus as a way to gain something. I do not preach a “come-to-Jesus so you can get” message. Instead, I preach giving your life to Him. Real life only comes through death to self (John 12:24-25).
Kingdom Principles Opposite the World’s System
My message centers on kingdom principles. Liberty comes through slavery to Christ. Authority comes through responsibility. Greatness comes through serving. The way up in the kingdom is always down (Matthew 23:11-12). God’s kingdom works in the opposite way to the world’s system. The question of what is in it for me leads only to death. A person must either take up the cross and follow Christ or hang themselves with selfish desire (Matthew 16:24). I once preached the ultra-faith message and even lived it, but that approach creates many opportunities to betray Jesus.
Covenant With Christ or Covenant With the World
This brings the discussion to covenant. Matthew 26:13-30 presents two covenants standing side by side: the covenant with Christ or the covenant with the world. In the end, there are only two covenants. A person either covenants with antichrist or with Jesus Christ. One covenant leads to the world and death. The other leads to Christ and life (Deuteronomy 30:19). Judas shows this contrast clearly. In a sense, he can represent a preacher who knows the Lord personally yet still chooses the wrong covenant.
Judas had personal contact with the Lord. The Lord touched his life. Judas lived with Jesus, heard Him minister, and even had his feet washed by Jesus (John 13:5). Yet he still sold out to the system because of what was in it for him. Thirty pieces of silver became the price of betrayal (Matthew 26:15). That kind of betrayal happens when a person refuses to pay the price of obedience.
This also reveals a covenant with the religious system that many preachers fall into. Some know Christ and have spent time with Him, yet refuse to move forward in true covenant with Him. Instead, they covenant with their system, their denomination, or their security. In the end, that system can hang them if they betray Christ (Matthew 27:5). There is nothing wrong with a denomination as long as it does not limit a person’s walk with God or determine how far that person can go in Christ.
When Religious Systems Replace Covenant With Christ
Our own experience shows how this works. We would likely still be at the Assembly if a flaw had not appeared among one of the twelve. That opening allowed the lion to enter and forced change (1 Peter 5:8). When leadership remains tight and unified, the system cannot easily interfere, and a church can continue moving with God. There are good preachers serving the Lord even within denominational systems.
I know some preachers who remain in denominational systems yet continue moving forward with Christ. As long as they are not limited and continue growing in their covenant with Him, that can be acceptable. Still, I believe there will come a day when those systems fall. That decision belongs to the Lord, not to me. If we are not careful, however, those systems can develop into an antichrist covenant where security, buildings, and stability replace obedience to Christ (1 John 2:18). When that happens, people may refuse needed change because they will not pay the price.
Thirty Pieces of Silver and the Price of Betrayal
Another principle appears in the thirty pieces of silver. In today’s value, thirty pieces of silver are worth between $300 – $350. Judas betrayed Jesus for that small amount (Matthew 26:15). We look at that and think it is terrible. Yet the truth is that many people betray the Lord for far less.
Small things often become the price of betrayal. An extra hour of sleep, a few minutes of pleasure, or some minor offense can lead people away from obedience. Many things worth far less than $350.00 have caused people to betray Jesus. Judas himself began seeking opportunities to betray the Lord (Matthew 26:16). Many people today still look for those opportunities to sin and betray Him.
Matthew 26:13-30 – Preparing the Passover
This brings us to the next section of the lesson. The focus now turns to the Passover in verses 17 through 25. That is the passage we will read and examine next (Matthew 26:17-25).
Matthew 26:17-19
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.
The first point I need to discuss is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Israel observed three major feasts each year – the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The men were required to attend these feasts each year, and they brought their families. These gatherings were large and important events for the nation (Exodus 23:14-17). I compare it to Thanksgiving in our society. Each year, families gather, and preparing the meal becomes a major task.
Preparing the Passover required similar work. The lamb had to be chosen carefully and be without blemish (Exodus 12:5). The animal had to be taken to the temple, sacrificed/killed, cleaned, cooked, and properly prepared. It took all day to accomplish this. With that in mind, the disciples asked the Lord where they should prepare the Passover meal. They knew it would take time and preparation, so they asked what He wanted them to do.
The Man Carrying the Pitcher of Water
Jesus instructed them to go into the city to a certain man and prepare the meal at his house. Some translations describe him simply as a certain man. Mark provides more detail, explaining that two disciples were sent to meet a man carrying a pitcher of water (Mark 14:13).
Mark 14:13
13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.
Luke adds a little bit more; he tells us who these two disciples were: Peter and John.
Luke 22:8
8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
I point out the detail about the man carrying a pitcher of water. That would be odd. In that society, men normally did not carry water. Women and young girls went to the wells to carry water. Because of that, a man carrying water would be easy to recognize.
Jesus told the disciples to go into the city and follow that man. They were to follow him to his house and prepare the Passover there (Mark 14:13). That instruction shows that Jesus knew exactly who the man was and where he lived. Only two disciples were sent, not all of them. I began to think about why the Lord gave the instruction that way.
Jesus Protects the Passover From Judas’ Betrayal
The previous verse explains the reason. Judas had already begun seeking an opportunity to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:16). Because of that, I believe Jesus was careful not to reveal too much information. He knew Judas would betray Him and bring the priests to arrest Him that same night. The Lord took precautions so that nothing would interrupt the Passover before its time.
He had to establish the Lord’s Supper and initiate the New Testament. That moment was very important to Jesus Christ. Jesus wanted that time with His disciples to happen exactly as planned before the events of the night unfolded.
Let’s look at that. Luke chapter 22 verse 15.
Luke 22:15
15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
Jesus Desires to Eat the Passover
This passage shows the heart of Christ. Jesus desired an uninterrupted time with His apostles before His suffering. He did not want the priests or soldiers to interrupt that moment. For that reason, I believe He kept certain information from Judas. The only two who knew where Jesus would be were Peter and John. The timing would unfold only when it was right, because Jesus remained in full control.
In the room, He expressed that desire clearly. He told them that He had greatly desired to eat that Passover with them before He suffered (Luke 22:15). That statement reveals the intensity of His heart. Jesus wanted to be alone with those who were closest to Him. Because of that, I believe He did not reveal the location of the meal to Judas or even to the other disciples until the proper moment. Only Peter and John were sent to prepare it so that the gathering could remain private.
Preparation for the meal required many elements. The lamb had to be killed in the temple court. The unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and wine all had to be gathered. Everything had to be ready for the meal shared by thirteen adults. All these preparations came together so they could share that important moment.
When Judas Left the Passover Meal
The Passover marked the beginning of the Mosaic covenant when Israel was delivered from Egypt (Exodus 12:1-14). The final act Christ performed before instituting the New Covenant was also the Passover (Matthew 26:26-28). The Passover began and ended the Old Covenant. That moment needed privacy and order. As I studied the passage, I noticed that Matthew, Mark, and Luke do not clearly state when Judas left. Reading those accounts alone can give the impression that Judas remained through the new covenant meal.
But John, bless his heart, and I thank him, gave us the word that after he’s sopped, Jesus said you can go now. Go quickly and do what you’ve got to do.
John 13:26-30
26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
Judas Leaves the Upper Room
Judas left after receiving the sop and before the Passover meal continued. Jesus dismissed him, and Judas departed. Because of that, Judas did not partake of the new covenant Lord’s table (John 13:26-30).
After this, Jesus said that His time was at hand. That statement shows who was truly in control. The devil was not in control. The Pharisees and Sadducees were not in control. Jesus Himself determined the timing of the cross (Matthew 26:18).
Passover began at six in the evening and continued until the next evening. The meal took place after six that night, so they were observing the Passover. Jesus instructed the disciples to tell the man with the pitcher of water that His time was at hand. That phrase indicates something immediate and close.
The same expression appears when Jesus speaks about the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom is described as being at hand, meaning it is present and near, not something pushed far into the future (Matthew 4:17). Jesus used the same language in both places.
Matthew 26:13-30 – Jesus Announces the Betrayer
When evening came, Jesus sat down with the twelve and began the meal.
Matthew 26:20-25
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.
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.
During the meal, Jesus told them that one of them would betray Him. The disciples were deeply troubled, and each began asking if it was him. Jesus said that the one who dipped his hand with Him in the dish would betray Him. He also declared that the Son of Man would go as it was written, but woe to the man who betrayed Him. It would have been better for that man if he had never been born (Matthew 26:20-24).
Jesus Warns Judas and Remains in Control
Judas then asked if he was the one. Jesus answered that he had said it himself (Matthew 26:25). This shows that Jesus clearly warned Judas. He gave Judas an opportunity to repent and turn away from what he was planning. Judas knew that Jesus knew the truth, yet he still continued with the betrayal.
The event also shows that Jesus remained in control. His arrest and death were not a surprise. No man or devil took His life from Him. He knew every event, the timing, and even the person who would betray Him (John 10:17-18). Judas was given the chance to change, yet he refused it.
Look at John chapter 18, verse 4, which shows again that Jesus knew everything that was about to happen.
John 18:4
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
Jesus Remains in Control of the Cross
Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to Him. I emphasize this because I want us to understand that Jesus knows. The devil cannot slip up on a believer without the Lord knowing it. If we are in Christ, the enemy cannot truly reach us. Because of the blood working in us, we are freed from the power of the devil.
This truth appears clearly in the Gospel of John. Jesus knew all the things that were about to come upon Him (John 18:4). Nothing took Him by surprise. His death was not forced upon Him. He declared that no one took His life from Him. He laid it down and took it up again (John 10:17-18).
John 10:17-18
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
We also need to understand that the Lord knows everything that happens in our lives. Nothing the devil does catches Him by surprise. The enemy cannot slip up on us. The devil was defeated when Christ shed His blood (Colossians 2:14-15). Through that blood, we are freed from sin and its power. Sin no longer has dominion over us (Romans 6:14).
Sin Is a Choice and Judas Ignored the Warning
The truth is that when we sin, it is because we choose to sin. We cannot blame the devil. We cannot blame the flesh because God has given us power over it (Galatians 5:16). When a Christ follower sins, it is because he wants to sin. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Christ came to give us life and life eternal (John 10:10). Because of that, we should desire to walk free from sin.
Jesus also warned Judas before the betrayal. He told him that it would be better if he had never been born if he carried out his plan (Matthew 26:24). Judas had the opportunity to turn back, but refused. This raises a question for all of us. There are times when the Lord warns people repeatedly. Some ignore those warnings and continue until destruction comes. We must ask ourselves if the Lord is warning us about something and whether we will turn or continue like Judas.
Matthew 26:13-30 – The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
The passage then moves to the Lord’s Supper.
Matthew 26:26-30
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.
30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
The apostle Paul taught that this meal should be done often (1 Corinthians 11:25-26). During the meal, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples. He then took the cup and declared it to be the blood of the new covenant given for the remission of sins. He also said that He would not drink again of the fruit of the vine until He drank it new with them in the Father’s kingdom. After this, they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:26-30).
The Passover Fulfilled in Christ
Matthew 26:13-30 connects the Passover with the establishment of the Lord’s Supper. This moment connects directly to the Passover. The Passover initiated the Mosaic covenant in Exodus (Exodus 12:1-14). The last act Jesus performed before establishing the new covenant was also the Passover (Matthew 26:17-19). He fulfilled the Passover and transformed its meaning into the Lord’s table.
Because of this connection, the Passover and the Lord’s Supper must be understood together. The Passover points forward to Christ and the cross. The Lord’s table points back to that fulfillment. A person cannot fully understand one without understanding the other.
Most people already understand much of the teaching on the Passover, but the important point is that each one explains the other. To understand the Lord’s table, we must understand the Passover, and the Passover finds its fulfillment in Christ.
When the Passover was established, it changed the Hebrew calendar. The Lord told Moses and Aaron that this month would become the beginning of months and the first month of the year for Israel (Exodus 12:1-2). In the same way, Christ changed the universal calendar. History is divided into B.C. and A.D. by Christ’s coming. B.C. is Before Christ. A.D. meaning Anno Domini, which is Latin meaning “In the year of our Lord.” The Passover marked a new beginning for Israel, and Christ brought a new beginning through the New Covenant.
The Passover Lamb Points to Christ
The Passover also required a personal lamb. Each household was to take a lamb for itself (Exodus 12:3). This shows that the lamb was personal. John the Baptist later pointed to Jesus and declared Him to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The principle is that Christ must be personal to every believer. In the New Covenant, there is neither male nor female in the Spirit (Galatians 3:28).
The lamb was also required to be without blemish (Exodus 12:5). This points to the sinless nature of Christ. He was the perfect and spotless sacrifice (1 Peter 1:19). The lamb was male, paralleling Christ as the Son of God. A Passover lamb was selected on the tenth day, which parallels the triumphal entry when Jesus came into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:8-9).
The lamb was then kept until the fourteenth day and killed at Passover (Exodus 12:6). The Passover day ran from evening to evening. The Gospel record shows that Jesus and the disciples began the meal that evening (Matthew 26:20). In the Passover, the congregation killed the lamb, and this points forward to the death of Christ.
The crowd cried out for Jesus to be crucified, and the congregation took part in His death (Matthew 27:22-23). This parallels the Passover, where the congregation (each household) killed the lamb. Seeing these parallels helps us understand both the Passover and Christ’s sacrifice.
From Outward Blood to the Inward Work of the New Covenant
In the Passover, the blood was applied to the outside of the house (Exodus 12:7). This reveals a pattern in the earlier covenants. Blood was always applied outwardly. In the Adamic covenant, there was blood (Genesis 3:21). In the covenant with Noah, there was blood on the altar (Genesis 8:20). The Abrahamic covenant also involved blood sacrifice (Genesis 15:9-10). Circumcision itself was an outward sign involving blood (Genesis 17:10-11). In each case, the blood was outward. Matthew 26:13-30 shows how the outward blood of earlier covenants leads to the inward work of the New Covenant.
The Mosaic covenant brought a slight change. At Sinai, the blood was sprinkled on the people as a sign of the covenant (Exodus 24:8). Even then, the application remained outward. The blood touched the life, but it remained externally.
The new covenant is different. In the Lord’s Supper, the blood is received inwardly (Matthew 26:27-28). It symbolizes God’s work within the believer. It points to the circumcision of the heart and the transformation of the inner man (Romans 2:29). Earlier covenants placed blood outwardly or on the house. In the New Covenant, the work happens inside the person.
The Passover meal itself also points forward to Christ. The lamb was roasted over a fire (Exodus 12:8-9), which parallels the baptism of fire that Christ brings (Matthew 3:11). The meal included unleavened bread, which represents the removal of sin from life (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). Bitter herbs remind us that the Christian life includes bitter moments.
The lamb could not be eaten raw or boiled but had to be prepared with fire (Exodus 12:9). This shows that the message cannot be watered down. The believer must face the full reality of the Word and bring life into obedience to it.
The Passover Meal Fulfilled in the Lord’s Supper
The Passover required that the lamb be eaten in its entirety. This points to receiving Christ fully. We must take the head, which speaks of having the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). We must take the legs, which means walking as Christ walked (1 John 2:6). That walk is one of humility, where we humble ourselves so that God may exalt us (James 4:10). The inward parts speak of the inner man and the heart becoming like Him (Ephesians 3:16).
Understanding the Passover helps us understand Christ. Understanding Christ helps us understand the Passover. Each explains the other. The two are closely linked because the final act Jesus performed before establishing the new covenant was the Passover (Matthew 26:17-19).
At the close of, or even during, that meal, I believe Jesus dismissed Judas. The account in John records that after giving the sop, He told Judas to go and do what he intended (John 13:26-30). Judas then left, and the Lord began the Lord’s table with the remaining disciples. This moment was precious and personal to Him.
Jesus then took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying it was His body (Matthew 26:26). The elements of the Passover meal were replaced by those of the Lord’s table. The roasted lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs were fulfilled in the blessed and broken bread.
I do not believe in transubstantiation. Some traditions teach that the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ. The Roman Catholic Church teaches this, and some Protestant teachers have also held that view. However, when Jesus said, “Take and eat,” He was physically standing before them (Matthew 26:26). The bread was not literally His body. It was symbolic. The same is true of the cup.
Jesus Often Taught Spiritual Truth Through Symbols
Jesus often spoke in symbolic language, and His disciples frequently misunderstood Him. For example, when He warned them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, they thought He was speaking about bread (Matthew 16:6).
Jesus often spoke in symbolic language, and people misunderstood Him. When He told Nicodemus that a man must be born again, Nicodemus thought it meant returning to his mother’s womb (John 3:3-4). The same principle appears when Jesus said to take and eat because the bread was His body (Matthew 26:26). The meaning was symbolic and spiritual. When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are spiritually partaking of Him. It is a spiritual meal.
Matthew 26:13-30 – The Blood of the New Covenant
Jesus also took the cup during the meal. Some traditions teach that the Passover included several cups, such as Elijah’s and Isaac’s cups. I do not find that clearly in Exodus 12 (Exodus 12:1-14). Whether there were multiple cups is not the important issue. The important thing is what the cup contained and what it represented. The cup represented Christ’s blood (Matthew 26:27-28).
Jesus told them to drink all of it because it was His blood of the new covenant shed for many for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:27-28). This does not refer to literal blood. The earlier covenants used blood outwardly to cover sin. Sacrifices such as bulls and goats were offered, and the ashes of a heifer were used in purification (Hebrews 10:4) (Hebrews 9:13). Those sacrifices covered sin but did not remove it.
The new covenant is different. It removes us from sin rather than merely covering it. The work begins inwardly and moves outward (Hebrews 8:10). Earlier covenants dealt with sin outwardly. The new covenant destroys the power of sin within the believer (Romans 6:6). Sin no longer has power to force a person to act.
Jesus said His blood was shed for many (Matthew 26:28). The word “shed” means “poured out” (Isaiah 53:12). His blood was not spilled by accident. Jesus laid down His life willingly and remained in control of the entire event (John 10:18). The sacrifice was not for everyone automatically because not all receive Him (John 1:11). Yet it is not for only a few because everyone who receives Him is given power to become a child of God (John 1:12).
Matthew 26:13-30 – Remission of Sins and Freedom From Sin
The purpose of His blood is the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28). The Greek word for “remission” is aphesis. It carries the meaning of freedom, pardon, deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, and release (Luke 4:18). Believers understand pardon and forgiveness. Many think they understand liberty (Galatians 5:1). However, the deeper meaning of freedom and deliverance is often missed.
Remission first means pardon from sin. That truth has been preached for many years. Yet the Spirit also emphasizes something greater. Christ’s blood brings freedom from sin itself. A believer does not have to live under sin’s power (Romans 6:14). The devil has no rightful place in the life of one who belongs to Christ (Ephesians 4:27). A believer can walk in purity and holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16).
This means we are freed from sin’s dominion (Romans 6:18). The message is that we do not have to sin. The blood of Christ brings real freedom.
Look at 1 John 1:7.
1 John 1:7
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Matthew 26:13-30 – Moved From Sin by the Blood of Christ
We are moved from sin. Sin remains where it was, but the blood of Christ moves us away from it. A person can return and pick it up again, but the blood of Christ moves us away from its dominion. When we walk in the light and live in fellowship with one another, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). Sin no longer has authority over the believer because we have been moved from its power (Romans 6:14).
Because of this freedom we do not have to sin. The blood does not remove sin from existence. Instead, it moves us away from it so that it no longer rules our lives. Through Christ, we can live rather than remain under the power of sin.
This truth also applies to fear of spiritual darkness. When people become concerned about things such as witchcraft or demonic influence, the answer is the same. Those who have the blood of Christ do not have to fear such things. When a person belongs to God, the enemy cannot control or overpower them (1 John 5:18). This leads us to the teaching in Ephesians 2 about our condition before Christ and what God has done for us (Ephesians 2:1).
Ephesians 2:1-5
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Who is the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)? Who is that? That’s Satan. That’s the devil.
Raised and Seated With Christ
There was a time when I walked according to the course of this world. The prince of the power of the air had authority over me, and sin ruled my life (Ephesians 2:2). I lived in the lusts of the flesh and fulfilled the desires of the flesh and the mind. By nature, we were children of wrath just like others (Ephesians 2:3). Many people still live that way, but they do not have to remain there. God, who is rich in mercy and great in love, intervened in our condition (Ephesians 2:4).
Even when we were dead in sins, He made us alive together with Christ. By grace we are saved (Ephesians 2:5). He raised us up and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). Because of this position, the enemy cannot reach us the way he once did. God did this so that in the coming ages He might show the exceeding riches of His grace and kindness through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:7). Now in Christ Jesus those who were once far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).
Ephesians 2:13
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
I have been moved from the kingdom of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s Son (Colossians 1:13). I am walking in the kingdom of God now (Romans 14:17). Today, I am seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). The only time I sin is when I choose to leave that position and return to the place where sin remains.
Sin stays where it was, but I have been moved away from it. Through the blood of Christ, I have been brought near to God (Ephesians 2:13). When I receive that blood, it works within me and changes me (John 6:53-56). The purpose of that blood is the remission of sins, which means freedom from sin (Matthew 26:28).
Freedom From Sin’s Dominion
We have no freedom from sin without the blood of Jesus working in us. But with the blood sin has no dominion over me (Romans 6:14).
Romans 6:14
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
The devil has no power over me. He cannot make me sin, and I do not have to sin. I am free from sin (Romans 6:18). There was a time when sin ruled my life. I was lost and dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1). Through the blood of Christ, I have been brought near to God and no longer have to live under sin’s power (Ephesians 2:13).
Matthew 26:13-30 – The Lord’s Table and the Power of the Blood
This closing scene in Matthew 26:13-30 shows the completion of the Passover and the beginning of the Lord’s table. The power of the blood was the focus of that moment. Because of this truth, I desire to take communion and understand what the Lord has done for us. When we partake of the Lord’s body and blood, we receive Him spiritually within us (John 6:53-56).
Many people believe they must sin a little every day. That is not true. We do not have to sin (Romans 6:14). God has given us a conscience and His Word to guide us (Romans 2:15) (Psalm 119:11). Most importantly, He has given us His blood. Through that blood, we are moved away from sin.
Earlier covenants covered sin through sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-4). The new covenant does more than cover sin. It moves us away from it and frees us from its power and authority (Romans 6:6-7).
The purpose of this covenant is to reach the inward man (1 Peter 3:4). When God reaches the heart He gains the whole life (Proverbs 4:23). This covenant works spiritually because God seeks those who worship Him in spirit (John 4:24). For this reason we return to the words of Jesus at the meal when He took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples (Matthew 26:26).
The message of Matthew 26:13-30 is that the blood of Christ brings freedom from sin’s dominion and establishes the New Covenant.
Let’s bless our bread. Our Father, we bless this bread…
Key Truths From Matthew 26:13-30
Matthew 26:13-30 reveals the contrast between covenant with Christ and betrayal for personal gain. Judas covenants with the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver while Jesus prepares to establish the New Covenant through the Passover meal.
Matthew 26:13-30 also explains the connection between the Passover and the Lord’s Supper. The Passover lamb pointed forward to Christ, and during this meal, Jesus transformed the Passover elements into symbols of His body and blood.
Matthew 26:13-30 teaches that Christ remained in complete control of His betrayal and death. Jesus knew who would betray Him and when it would occur, yet He willingly laid down His life according to the Father’s plan.
Matthew 26:13-30 also reveals the meaning of the blood of the New Covenant. Christ’s blood was shed for the remission of sins and brings freedom from sin’s dominion to those who receive Him.
Matthew 26:13-30 ultimately points to the heart of the gospel. The Passover looked forward to Christ, and the Lord’s Supper reminds believers of the sacrifice that brings forgiveness, freedom, and new life.
Matthew 26:13-30 Explained – Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in Matthew 26:13-30?
Matthew 26:13-30 records three major events in the final hours before the arrest of Jesus. Judas covenants with the chief priests to betray Christ for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16). Jesus then prepares with His disciples for the Passover meal (Matthew 26:17-19). During that meal He reveals that one of the twelve will betray Him and then institutes the Lord’s Supper, declaring the bread and cup to represent His body and blood of the new covenant (Matthew 26:26-30).
Why did Judas betray Jesus in Matthew 26:13-30?
In Matthew 26:13-30 Judas betrays Jesus after asking the chief priests what they would give him to deliver Christ to them. They covenant with him for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). Judas represents a heart that asks what will you give me rather than submitting to Christ in obedience.
What is the significance of the Passover in Matthew 26:13-30?
The Passover in Matthew 26:13-30 connects the Old Covenant with the New Covenant. Jesus prepares to eat the Passover with His disciples before His suffering (Matthew 26:17-19). During that meal He transforms the meaning of the Passover by instituting the Lord’s Supper and declaring the cup to be His blood of the new covenant for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:27-28).
Did Judas take the Lord’s Supper in Matthew 26:13-30?
The Gospel of John indicates that Judas left the room before the institution of the Lord’s Supper. After Jesus gave Judas the sop, He told him to go and do what he intended, and Judas immediately departed (John 13:26-30). Because of this, Judas did not partake in the new covenant meal recorded in Matthew 26:26-30.
What does the blood of the covenant mean in Matthew 26:13-30?
In Matthew 26:13-30 Jesus declares that the cup represents His blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28). Earlier covenants used blood outwardly to cover sin, but Christ’s blood brings forgiveness and freedom from sin’s dominion. Through this covenant believers are brought near to God and delivered from the power of sin (Romans 6:14).
What is the Lord’s Supper in Matthew 26:13-30?
The Lord’s Supper in Matthew 26:13-30 is the meal Jesus instituted during the Passover. He took bread, blessed it, and gave it to His disciples as a symbol of His body. He then gave them the cup as the symbol of His blood of the new covenant (Matthew 26:26-28). This meal points to the sacrifice of Christ and the remission of sins through His blood.
What does Matthew 26:13-30 teach about freedom from sin?
Matthew 26:13-30 reveals that Christ’s blood brings remission of sins. Remission includes forgiveness but also freedom from sin’s dominion. Because of the blood of the new covenant, believers are no longer under the rule of sin and can walk in obedience to Christ (Romans 6:14).
Other Related Sermons:
Feasts Of Israel Part 2 Jesus Our Passover audio
Satan Entered Judas Called Iscariot Luke 21:37 – 22:1-13
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