The Secret Codes in Matthew: Examining Israel’s Messiah, Part 20: Matthew 26:1-30, by Kevin M. Williams

We seem to find some continuity in that Yeshua promises not to drink from the fruit of vine again, and we know that the Wedding Feast of the Lamb awaits us, where heavenly wine will certainly be served in the “Father’s kingdom” after the Messiah’s vow is fulfilled.

The only inconsistency remains the cutting of hair, and this we can neither deny nor confirm. The only latter description we have of Yeshua comes to us from the apostle John: “And His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow (Revelation 1:14). This does not give us a hint as to whether Yeshua’s hair was uncut or not.

And after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30).

And still the Passover celebration finds its way into our narrative. At the conclusion of the Seder meal, it has been a long held joy to sing the Hallel—praises—or more specifically, Psalms 113-118.

At this point in the Paschal observance, it is Nisan 15, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a High Holy Sabbath (see Leviticus 23:7), and an important point of reference in the events that follow Yeshua’s betrayal.

___ In Next Issue

In Part 21 of our examination of Matthew, we shall look at Yeshua’s trial and the travesties committed by the Sanhedrin. It was a High Holy Sabbath, and according to oral law, many things that were sanctioned that night by Israel’s leaders had previously been forbidden by Israel’s leaders.

Notes

¹ Unless otherwise noted, the New American Standard Bible is used with permission.

² The Hebrew name for the anglicized “Jesus” and so used throughout.

³ Brackets mine. At this time, the Hebrew calendar began with Nisan as the 1^st month. The transformation to the month of Tishrei and Rosh Hoshannah as the 1^st of the civil calendar began during the Babylonian exile.

⁴ It is interesting to note that this covenant is for the house of Israel and Judah. There is no mention of Gentiles or the “world-at-large” in this promise.

Tags: bible commentary, codes, Kevin M. Williams, matthew, messiah, secret

Category: Biblical Studies, Pneuma Review, Spring 2006