a Liturgical Exegesis of Matthew 26

In the three synoptic Gospels, there are three distinct and varying accounts of the Last Supper and the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas.  While they share many similarities, each author chooses to focus on independent significant aspects of these events.  Here we will take a look at the Matthean account of the Last Supper and the betrayal, paying special attention to the unique elements of this Gospel and the overall effect is has on it's readers.

First, one must take a careful look at the text of which we are speaking.  One must also be careful not to be too cautious of the translation with which we work.  Thus, it would be beneficial to look at multiple translations of this text.  Perhaps doing so might allow us a keener insight into the writing from the perspective of the authors intent.  Thus I have provided three texts for study of this passage.  For the purposes of our study, we will use the Douay-Rheims version of the Scriptures, which I believe to be truer to the Greek text because it is a direct descendant of the Latin Vulgate of St. Jerome.

The first translation provided is the Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible.  This version has been approved for use in all liturgical celebrations in the United States of America.  While this is not the newest translation available, it is considered valuable enough to be used for liturgical purposes and thus is considered valuable for our study as well.