The narrative of the death and sufferings of Christ is more particularly and fully recorded by all the four evangelists than any part of his history; for what should be determine, and desire to know, but Christ, and him crucified? And this chapter begins that memorable narrative.

Here is, 1. The notice Christ gave his disciples of the near approach of his sufferings, Matt. 26:1–2. While his enemies were preparing trouble for him, he was preparing himself and his followers for it.

In this passage of story, we have, I. The singular kindness of a good woman to our Lord Jesus in anointing his head, Matt. 26:6–7. It was in Bethany, a village hard by Jerusalem, and in the house of Simon the leper.

Immediately after an instance of the greatness kindness done to Christ, follows an instance of the greatest unkindness; such mixture is there of good and bad among the followers of Christ; he hath some faithful friends, and some false and feigned ones.

We have here an account of Christ’s keeping the passover. Being made under the law, he submitted to all the ordinances of it, and to this among the rest; it was kept in remembrance of Israel’s deliverance out of Egypt, the birth-day of that people; it was a tradition of the Jews, that in the days…

We have here the institution of the great gospel ordinance of the Lord’s supper, which was received of the Lord. Observe, I. The time when it was instituted— as they were eating.

We have here Christ’s discourse with his disciples upon the way, as they were going to the mount of Olives. Observe, I. A prediction of the trial which both he and his disciples were now to go through. He here foretels, 1. A dismal scattering storm just arising, Matt. 26:31.

Hitherto, we have seen the preparatives for Christ’s sufferings; now, we enter upon the bloody scene. In these verses we have the story of his agony in the garden. This was the beginning of sorrows to our Lord Jesus.

We are here told how the blessed Jesus was seized, and taken into custody; this followed immediately upon his agony, while he yet spake; for from the beginning to the close of his passion he had not the least intermission or breathing-time, but deep called unto deep.

We have here the arraignment of our Lord Jesus in the ecclesiastical court, before the great sanhedrim. Observe, I. The sitting of the court; the scribes and the elders were assembled, though it was in the dead time of the night, when other people were fast asleep in their beds; yet, to gratify…

We have here the story of Peter’s denying his Master, and it comes in as a part of Christ’s sufferings. Our Lord Jesus was now in the High Priest’s hall, not to be tried, but baited rather; and then it would have been some comfort to him to see his friends near him.