For this ointment might have been sold for so much, and given to the poor.One cannot resist the temptation to compare this with the pleas of politicians who are always declaiming about the poor. Like Judas Iscariot, at least some of the political schemers who, verbally, are so concerned about the poor have a much more personal interest in such funds than their words would indicate. read more
But Jesus perceiving it said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.Christ's words indicate that Mary herself had been reproached by Judas and the others regarding the "waste"! They would have restrained her if they could have done so, recovered a part of the ointment, and placed the price of it in the bag. Jesus intervened in Mary's behalf and uttered a strong approval of this "good work" upon his person. Of special note is the definition of a "good... read more
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.This statement of Christ is true both in and out of its context. All the social schemes of all the ages have not changed the situation, nor will they ever do so. Men and nations may declare war on poverty; and, although Jesus' statement is a far cry from any derogation of any effort to relieve the afflictions of the poor and unfortunate, nevertheless, human nature being what it is, the fact of the ever-present poor remains century... read more
For in that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.It may appear difficult to know what is meant by this verse. Some believe that Mary, purely out of love and affection for Jesus, made this costly gesture without being aware of the construction Jesus placed upon it in this verse. The view is that Christ accepted it, first on the loving basis upon which Mary offered it, and that he then extended the meaning of it to encompass his approaching death and burial.... read more
Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.Who but God (in Christ) could have had such thoughts and made such promises as contained in these words? Condemned though he stood by the rulers of his people, betrayed by a friend, and facing shame upon the cross, the Saviour, far from being intimidated by such realities, was thinking of the sweeping triumph of the gospel "in the... read more
Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests.THE BETRAYAL BY JUDAS ISCARIOTMatthew's arrangement of the events in this chapter certainly suggests that the events concerning the "waste" of the spikenard are definitely connected to the defection of Judas. Otherwise, the journey of Judas to the priests would have been mentioned in Matthew 26:1-5. Plummer wrote, "Evidently we are to suppose that the proposal (of Judas) was a consequence of that incident."[5]... read more
And said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver.Give me! Ah, there was the fatal cleft in the heart of Judas. That was what the prodigal son said, "Father, gave me ..." (Luke 15:11). Such an attitude says, "I'll take the cash; let the credit go; A bird in the hand's worth two in the bush! Get yours while the getting's good! You've got to look out for number one!" Such an attitude betrayed the Son of God, and it is... read more
And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him unto them.The words "deliver him" are translated "betray him" in some of the versions, and they do bear that translation. The opportunity Judas sought was a quiet one in which Christ could be pointed out and captured by the priests without tumult, or in the absence of the multitude (Luke 22:6). Judas, knowing the place where Jesus was accustomed to retire for prayer with his disciples, would have no difficulty in finding such an occasion. read more
Matthew 26:3. Who was called Caiaphas— See John 11:49. Joseph Caiaphas was made high-priest by Valerius Gratus, as we learn from Josephus, Antiq. b. 18. 100: 3 and afterwards deposed by Vitellius, ch. 6. We may infer from Act 5:17 that Caiaphas was of the sect of the Sadducees. read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 26:8
But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?Judas kept the bag and, as John revealed, he was not at all concerned for the poor, but wanted the money in the bag that he might steal it. This was not the first nor the last time that unworthy motives and designs were cloaked in pious words. Many a worthy project has been opposed, and others equally advocated, from motives as impure and selfish as those of Judas Iscariot. Matthew and Mark both indicate... read more