What is the meaning of Matthew 26:66? What do you think? – The high priest has just torn his robes and declared Jesus’ words to be blasphemy (Matthew 26:65). Now he turns to the ruling council and asks for their judgment. – This question is not an invitation to open‐minded discussion; it is a call for unanimous condemnation. The leadership had long been plotting Jesus’ death (Matthew 26:3–4; John 11:47–50). – Their inquiry ignores the evidence of Jesus’ sinless life and miraculous works (John 5:36; Acts 2:22). Instead, it focuses on safeguarding their authority and traditions (John 7:48). – Scripture had foretold that rulers would conspire against the Lord’s Anointed (Psalm 2:2; Isaiah 53:3), and this moment fulfills that prophecy in real time. He deserves to die – The council pronounces the death sentence, claiming Jesus has committed blasphemy by affirming He is “the Christ, the Son of God” (Matthew 26:63–64). Under Mosaic Law, blasphemy was punishable by death (Leviticus 24:16), and they latch onto that statute. – Yet their application is hypocritical. Jesus truly is the Son of God (Matthew 3:17), so His testimony cannot be blasphemy. Their verdict exposes willful unbelief rather than zeal for holiness (John 19:7; Mark 14:61–64). – By declaring “He deserves to die,” they are, in fact, affirming the very purpose for which Jesus came—to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28; Acts 2:23). God sovereignly uses their unjust sentence to accomplish redemption (Isaiah 53:10; Acts 4:27–28). They answered – The plural reply reveals corporate agreement; no dissenting voice is recorded (Matthew 27:1). This collective guilt fulfills Isaiah 53:3–8, where the suffering Servant is despised and rejected by men. – Their answer sets in motion the handover to Roman authority for execution (John 18:28–31), showcasing the collision between human injustice and divine purpose. – Even here, Scripture remains trustworthy: the Messiah would be condemned by His own people (Luke 24:20; Acts 13:27). Their unified answer underscores both human responsibility and God’s unfailing plan. summary Matthew 26:66 captures the Sanhedrin’s rush to judgment. The question “What do you think?” masks a foregone conclusion; the verdict “He deserves to die” reveals hardened unbelief; and the unified response “they answered” demonstrates collective rebellion. Yet through this unjust condemnation, God’s perfect plan for salvation moves forward exactly as foretold in Scripture, proving once more the Bible’s accuracy, reliability, and life-giving truth. |
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