Book: Matthew 24-28

Fifteen years ago I read the Old Testament (King James Version) and blogged it as I went. I always meant to keep on trucking, but, well, I didn’t.

Now, in January and February of 2026 I am going to read all 27 books of the New Testament (I have a passing familiarity with the Gospels, thanks to secondary school, and I did read the Book of Revelations at some point (fever dream, innit?)). The plan is to read at most ten pages a day, with rest days more frequent than old “1-in-7” for the Gospels through Romans, but then, because it all gets somewhat shorter, one a day for most of February, with rest days..

Crucially, am blogging as I go

Summary: 

Jesus jolts Jerusalem, is betrayed with a kiss and meets his end. Or does He?

Historical – when written, by whom

See above

Most poetic bits

See below (so many fragments are littered through literature.  The New Testament really is the give that keeps on giving.

Most quotable bits

Travel advisory – Never fly on a Saturday, or between November and March (northern hemisphere) .

24: 20  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day

Most “wtaf” bit(s)

Chapter 24

As per Matthew 16:28, Jesus is telling everyone that the moment is super-close…

33-4: –³³so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. ³⁴Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.  

Chapter 26 

Woman “wastes” oil on Jesus- the money could have fed the poor. Jesus says, basically “Because I’m Worth It.”  Televangelists take note.

Further reading

Probably gonna watch that Pasolini too…

Chapter 24

24:6 – ⁶And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. wars and rumours of wars

24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. ¹²And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  many false prophets

24: 20  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day travel planning!

24: 24  ²⁴For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.Great signs and wonders

33-4: –³³so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. ³⁴Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.  

Chapter 25

25: 1-11 have spare oil or your lamps so the bridegroom can dip their wicks)

25: 14-30 Jesus the capitalist – if you don’t speculate to accumulate you will go to hell with a ger-nashing of the teeth

Chapter 26

Plotters plot his downfall but worry about the masses

Woman “wastes” oil on Jesus- the money could have fed the poor. Jesus says, basically “Because I’m Worth It.”  Televangelists take note.

26: 11 the poor are always with us etc

Last Supper (see History of the World Part 1)

Peter to betray

Gethsemane

Narcoleptic apostles

26: 45 The hour is at hand… ⁴⁵Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 

26: 52 Perish by the sword  ⁵²Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

26: 74-5 Peter hears the cock, has done his betraying

Chapter 27

27: 24 Pilate washes his hands – When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 

Crucifixion and playing dice for clothes

27:54 Earthquakes and “truly this was …

Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. ”

Fears of false flags – “habeas corpus?”

 ⁶²Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, ⁶³saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. ⁶⁴Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

Chapter 28

28:⁴and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 

28:12 soldiers get money… And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers

17-20 marching orders given “And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. ¹⁸And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”