Matthew 26:1
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 14
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἐτέλεσεν
had finished
G5055
ἐτέλεσεν
had finished
Strong's:
G5055
Word #:
4 of 14
to end, i.e., complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
6 of 14
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγους
sayings
G3056
λόγους
sayings
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
9 of 14
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
Historical Context
This occurs on Wednesday of Passion Week, approximately 30 AD. Jesus has just completed His final public teaching on the Mount of Olives. The disciples are about to face the most traumatic 72 hours of their lives—the arrest, trial, crucifixion, and burial of their Master.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's completion of His teaching ministry before His death demonstrate His faithful obedience to the Father's mission?
- What does the structure of Matthew's five discourses reveal about the Gospel as a teaching manual for the early church?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When Jesus had finished all these sayings—This transitional formula (Greek: etelesen, τελέσεν, 'completed') marks the conclusion of Jesus's fifth and final discourse in Matthew (chapters 24-25), the Olivet Discourse on eschatology and judgment. Matthew structures his Gospel around five major teaching blocks, echoing the Pentateuch's five books.
The phrase he said unto his disciples introduces the Passion prediction that follows. Having taught about His future return in glory, Jesus now prepares them for the immediate reality of His suffering—the cross must precede the crown.