Matthew 26:2

Matthew 26:2

This verse locates the approaching passion within the liturgical calendar: the Passover. Jesus tells his disciples that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. The Passover commemorates Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, a powerful symbol of rescue by God’s initiative. Jesus frames his crucifixion as the fulfillment of divine rescue—deliverance not from earthly bondage alone but from sin and death itself. The timing underscores the inevitability of the events; betrayal is not an accident but part of God’s plan. The use of “Son of man” emphasizes Jesus’ identity as the Messiah and as one who bears humanity’s fate. The cultural moment is charged: Passover is a high holy time, amplifying the drama, as the betrayer’s actions and the cross depart from the hoped-for political deliverance to a deeper spiritual release.

The passage anchors the cross within God’s salvific drama, showing that Jesus’ death is intentional and purposeful, not merely a tragedy. It highlights the paradox of kingship through suffering and the method by which God accomplishes salvation—through sacrifice, not conquest. It also foreshadows the new covenant inaugurated through the blood of Christ, resonating with Passover symbolism and Jesus’ role as the deliverer.

Consider how the gospel reframes hardship and betrayal. When you face loss or injustice, you can trust that God’s plan is at work even when it leads through difficult paths. Practically, that might mean faithful endurance in difficult relationships, patient obedience in leadership or ministry, and reframing personal ambition to align with God’s redemptive purposes. It also invites gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice as the true Passover lamb who delivers from sin.

Cross-References: Exodus 12:1-14; Luke 22:14-20; Isaiah 53:4-6; John 13:1; 1 Corinthians 5:7