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Lenten Season · Year A

Liturgy of the Passion

March 29, 2026

Christ before the High Priest, Gerrit van Honthorst
Christ before the High Priest, Gerrit van Honthorst, c. 1617National Gallery, London
One candle on a table between two men. Caiaphas leans forward arguing with a raised finger; Christ says nothing, and the painting is almost entirely dark.These readings are about authority being questioned and about who has the right to ask, and the painting is a night interrogation.Gerrit van HonthorstA Utrecht painter who learned candlelight in Rome from Caravaggio's followers and was known in Italy as Gerard of the Nights.National Gallery, LondonFounded in 1824 by buying one banker's collection, and deliberately placed in Trafalgar Square so that people from every part of London could walk to it.National Gallery, London
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 26:14-27:66Mt 26:14-27:66 orMatt. 27:11-54Mt 27:11-54
EpistlePhil. 2:5-11Phil 2:5-11
Old TestamentIsa. 50:4-9aIs 50:4-9a
PsalterPs. 31:9-16Ps 31:9-16

Overview & Insights

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)

Matthew's passion narrative runs from Judas' bargain for thirty pieces of silver through the last supper, Gethsemane, the arrest, the trial before Caiaphas, Peter's denial, Judas' remorse, the trial before Pilate, the mocking, and the crucifixion, and ends with the temple curtain torn, the centurion's confession, and the burial with a guard set at the tomb. The shorter option, Matthew 27:11-54, keeps only the Pilate trial through the crucifixion and the centurion's confession.

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Take it further: Matthew 26:14-27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 26:14-27:66Commentary on Mt 26:14-27:66 Working Preacher

Covers the whole passion narrative and traces Matthew's changes to Mark that sharpen the picture of sin and betrayal.

Matthew 26:14-27:66 CommentaryMt 26:14-27:66 Commentary CEP (Center for Excellence in Preaching)

Covers the full passion and highlights Jesus dying in the interrogative mood, asking why rather than declaring victory.

Matthew 26 Commentary: The Last Supper and GethsemaneMt 26 Commentary: The Last Supper and Gethsemane Enduring Word

Verse by verse on the last supper, Gethsemane, the arrest, and the trial before Caiaphas.

Matthew 27 Commentary: The Crucifixion of Jesus ChristMt 27 Commentary: The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ Enduring Word

Verse by verse on Judas' remorse, the trial before Pilate, the mocking, and the crucifixion.

Matthew 26 CommentaryMt 26 Commentary Precept Austin

Word studies across the last supper and Gethsemane portion of the narrative.

Matthew 27:11 CommentariesMt 27:11 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators on the Pilate trial through the crucifixion, the shorter reading option only.

Matthew 27 CommentaryMt 27 Commentary StudyLight (Barnes)

Plain historical notes on the Roman trial, the crucifixion, and the burial.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 27:11 InterlinearMt 27:11 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text word by word for the Pilate trial scene, the shorter reading option only.

Matthew 26:1-27:66, The Passion and Death of Jesus the MessiahMt 26:1-27:66, The Passion and Death of Jesus the Messiah Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary background on the whole passion narrative's structure and sources.

Gospel of Matthew OverviewGospel of Mt Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of Matthew's design that frames how the passion fulfills the book's earlier promises.

Church Fathers

Matthew 27 CatenaMt 27 Catena Catena

Patristic comments on the trial and crucifixion chapter, the shorter reading option only.

Art

Year A, Liturgy of the Passion Vanderbilt

Curated public domain artwork paired with this Sunday's readings.

Essays

Lectionary column for Passion Sunday, Matthew 26:14-27:66Lectionary column for Passion Sunday, Mt 26:14-27:66 The Christian Century

An essay on Jesus dying with a question on his lips rather than a triumphant last word.

Sunday-wide

Matthew 26:14-27:66 Study HubMt 26:14-27:66 Study Hub Textweek

A single page of links to sermons, hymns, and art gathered for the full passion narrative.

Prep at sermons.com

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  • Full sermons on Matthew 26:14-27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
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