Matthew 26–28
The Holy Bible interpreted through Divine Principle insight and the words of True Father.
This page completes Matthew as a single-book HTML section. Commentary is added where the text strongly reflects Divine Principle themes such as failed preparation around the Messiah, betrayal and denial, the sorrowful course of the cross, resurrection victory, and the continuing mission to all nations.
26:1–16 Jesus says that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. The chief priests and elders take counsel against him. In Bethany a woman pours precious ointment on Jesus, preparing him for burial. Judas then goes to the chief priests and covenants for thirty pieces of silver.
26:17–35 Jesus keeps the passover with the disciples, identifies the betrayer at table, institutes the bread and cup, and tells them all that they shall be offended because of him that night. Peter insists he will never deny, yet Jesus foretells the denial before the cock crows.
26:36–56 In Gethsemane Jesus prays in deep sorrow, asking that the cup pass if possible, yet submitting to the Father’s will. The disciples sleep. Judas arrives with the multitude and betrays Jesus with a kiss. Jesus is taken, and the disciples flee.
26:57–75 Jesus stands before Caiaphas and the council. False witnesses arise. Jesus testifies concerning the Son of man. He is condemned for blasphemy, mocked, and struck. Meanwhile Peter denies him three times and then weeps bitterly.
27:1–10 The leaders deliver Jesus to Pilate. Judas, seeing that Jesus is condemned, returns the silver and goes out and hangs himself. The money is used to buy the potter’s field.
27:11–31 Jesus stands before Pilate. Though Pilate finds no fault, the crowd chooses Barabbas and cries for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate washes his hands. Jesus is scourged, clothed in scarlet, crowned with thorns, mocked, and led away.
27:32–56 Jesus is crucified at Golgotha. Darkness covers the land. Jesus cries out and yields up the ghost. The veil of the temple is torn, the earth quakes, and graves are opened. The centurion confesses that truly this was the Son of God.
27:57–66 Joseph of Arimathaea buries Jesus in a new tomb. A great stone is set. Guards are placed and the sepulchre is sealed.
This chapter is deeply significant because the covenant people and worldly authority both fail to receive the Messiah. Divine Principle strongly resonates where responsibility is repeatedly passed away rather than fulfilled. The cross reveals not God’s original desire, but the depth of human rejection confronting Heaven’s central figure.
True Father often taught that the crucifixion reveals both humanity’s failure and Jesus’ unchanging devotion. The torn veil and shaken earth show that the event is not local tragedy only; it is providential crisis on a cosmic scale. Even in burial, Heaven preserves the course toward victory beyond human sealing and guards.
28:1–10 In the end of the sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to the sepulchre. A great earthquake occurs, and the angel rolls back the stone. He announces that Jesus is risen. The women depart with fear and great joy, and Jesus meets them on the way.
28:11–15 The guard reports to the chief priests. Money is given to spread the saying that the disciples stole the body while the guards slept.
28:16–20 The eleven go into Galilee to the mountain appointed by Jesus. He says, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them... teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
This final chapter of Matthew is deeply significant because Heaven overturns the sealed conclusion of human judgment. Divine Principle strongly resonates where resurrection means that God’s purpose cannot be buried by rejection, violence, or official power. The women become first witnesses because prepared devotion remains near the providential center even after apparent defeat.
True Father often taught that after sorrow and failure, Heaven still continues the mission through a renewed commission. The resurrection does not end responsibility; it universalizes it. The gospel must now go to all nations. The risen Jesus stands with all authority and promises abiding presence for the continuing providence.
This chapter is deeply significant because the providential center is surrounded by both love and failure at the decisive hour. Divine Principle strongly resonates where one woman offers costly devotion while Judas calculates value in silver and the disciples speak loyalty without substance. The contrast reveals how the Messiah’s course turns on human response around him.
True Father often emphasized the sorrowful heart of Heaven in Gethsemane. Jesus is not only facing pain; he is carrying the loneliness of a providence not fully received. The sleeping disciples, the betrayer’s kiss, and Peter’s denial all intensify that sorrow. Heaven’s will advances, but through heartbreak rather than united attendance.