As we continue in Matthew 26, verses 14-16 give us the account of Judas agreeing to betray Jesus. As we well know the price of the betrayal is 30 pieces of silver, the price of a slave in the Old Testament (Exodus 21:32).
Next comes the preparation for the Passover in verses 17-19. Following Jesus’ instructions, the disciples made arrangements with an unnamed man in Jerusalem to get ready for the traditional supper. As we go through the events of the next several days (the last supper, the arrest and trials, the crucifixion, burial and resurrection) I will give the correct timeline, as some religious groups have distorted this. So, what we’re seeing at this point takes place on Tuesday afternoon. And since the Jewish day begins at 6:00 PM, the last supper would have taken place some time after 6:00 PM or on their Wednesday, April 14.
Since Peter and John often took the lead in representing the company of disciples, they are the ones who probably took the paschal lamb to the temple (Luke 22:9). Once there, they waited in line with the crowd assembled for the same reason until their turn came. Then they killed the lamb and the nearest priest caught the blood in a bowl, and then passed it on to a line of priests near the altar where the blood was immediately sprinkled toward the altar’s base. The animal was then skinned and the entrails removed and burned with incense on the altar.
The people in Jerusalem were very hospitable towards those who came to Jerusalem to observe Passover. Apartments were provided free of charge for the observance. In exchange for this it was expected that the lamb’s skin and any vessels used for the supper were left there in return. Then early in the evening the lamb was roasted and served with unleavened bread, wine, bitter herbs and a dipping sauce (gravy).
Now, verses 20-25 tell us what happened during this time. Verse 20 says, “He sat down”. Some may see this as a contradiction, since the instructions for the first Passover in Egypt were for the participants to eat the meal standing, as if ready for a journey (Exodus 12:11). However, since they had long ago entered the Promised Land, this was no longer done. Instead, they reclined on couches.
Then the traditional meal was taken somewhat in this order. First a cup of wine was prepared for each one in attendance, a blessing was given and the wine was drunk. The lamb, unleavened bread, bitter herbs and sauce were brought in. Thanksgiving was offered and the food was served. A second cup of wine was served and consumed while an explanation of the supper was given using Exodus 12:26-27. After this, they sang Psalms 113 and 114 followed by yet another blessing. Only then was the food eaten.
After this a third cup of wine was served and Psalms 115 and 118 were sung. Right about now you might be thinking that’s a lot of wine, were they getting intoxicated? The normal practice was to mix the wine with water to prevent this.
As we follow the account of the supper in verses 20-25, Jesus tells the disciples that one of them will betray Him and identifies that one as Judas. Try to put yourself in Judas’ place at this time. When Jesus points him out as the one, Judas asks the question in verse 25, “Master, is it me?” to which Jesus replies, “You have said it”. In reality, Jesus looked him in the eye and said, “Yes it is”. In the previous verse (24) Jesus says it would have been better if the one who betrayed Him had never been born. This can only mean that Judas was destined for hell, a fact Jesus had already confirmed (John 6:70-71; 17:12).
When you read Luke’s account there is something else that occurs at this time that must be examined. In Luke 22:24 we see, “Then an argument arose between them (the disciples) as to who should be considered the greater among them.” Most translations have “greatest”. It’s a small difference, but the comparative of megas is meizon, and probably should be translated “greater”. In other words, Jesus had just made reference to His impending death and identified His betrayer and the disciples started arguing about who would be qualified to take His place!
This is not the first time the disciples had become cross with each other due to what was really misguided ambition. Read Matthew 20:20-28 to see what I mean (compare Matthew 18:1-4, as well). This shows, as in numerous other times, the disciples were prone to repeat their mistakes. When you look at this account you see Jesus giving them a good lesson on having a servants heart that evidently fell on deaf ears. So, again in Luke’s account, Jesus gives them yet another lesson on the importance of being a servant in 22:25-27.
But in addition to this He follows it with an assurance that had to satisfy any competitiveness the disciples might have had. Look at verses 28-30. Let me quote it for you. “And you are the ones who have persevered with Me through My trials. And as My Father has determined a kingdom and conferred it on Me, so I confer on you the privilege, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, to governing the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Now, still on the subject of the disciples arguing over who is the greater, John’s gospel gives us the account of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet in John 13:3-17. Foot washing was normally the duty of slaves or house servants. Here, it becomes a lesson in humility. The point of this is found in verses 12-17. Jesus is not initiating a church ordinance here. Instead, He’s simply demonstrating by example that the disciples should not be concerned with who might be the greater among them, but that they should serve one another. Paul makes reference to this principle using Christ as the example in Philippians 2:1-8.
And beyond this, let’s make the application. The disciples were to be the future leaders of the church. This desire for worldly honor, if continued, would damage the church in Jesus’ absence. This tendency toward self-exaltation and lording over others had to be dealt with. Sadly, the hierarchical structure of most religious institutions today ignores His example.