The man of St Matthew

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

THE PASSION

The High Priest's House: Mt 26,57-75

The Jewish Hearing: 26,57-68

Matthew continues to follow Mark (MK 14,58-65) but with editorial differences. See how 26,57 picks up from 26,3-4.

Whose presence is noted in verse 58? What point is added at the end?

Matthew has added another emphasis in verse 59. There may be an allusion here to Ps 27,12.

Matthew in 26,59-61 has simplified Mk 14,56-58. For verse 60, see Dt 17,6. How has Matthew altered verse 61 and why? See Hosea 6,2.

In verses 62 and 63, the high priest attempts to get a reply from Jesus. For the silence of Jesus see Is 53,7. What has Matthew added to verse 63? See 16,16. See too 5,33-37.

Compare verse 64 with Mk 14,62, what is the effect of Matthew's alterations?
For Jesus' reply see Psalm 110,1 and Dn 7,14. See earlier 24,30.

Verse 65 gives the high priest's reaction. See Leviticus 21,10 and Lev 24,10-23.

Again in verse 66, Matthew has altered Mark (Mk 14,64). To what effect?

See how verse 68 has also been changed.

Look now at my response.

Peter's Denials: 26,69-75

We have noted Peter's presence in the high priest's courtyard, 26,58. The consequences of this now become evident. We can follow the various developments in the story.

Thus, where is Peter in verses 69, 71 and 75?

Who are Peter's challengers in verses 69, 71 and 73? What does Matthew highlight in verse 73?

Consider how do Peter's reactions develop from verse 70 to verse 72 to verse 74 and then verse 75 (see 26,34). See 5,33-37 as in the previous scene.

Now look again at my response.

We now continue the story of the Passion in chapter 27.