“And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,”
When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples. The fifth and final transition formula closes the Olivet Discourse and introduces the passion narrative. The when Jesus had finished all these sayings parallels the closing of each of the five discourses (Matthew 7:28, 11:1, 13:53, 19:1) and communicates the completion of the teaching ministry. What follows is not more teaching but action — the events that the teaching has been pointing toward.
Church Fathers on Matthew 26:1
After the discourse in which the Lord had declared that He should return in splendour, He announces to them His approaching Passion, that they might learn the close connection between the sacrament of the Cross, and the glory of eternity.
'All these sayings,' i.e. about the consummation of the world, and the day of judgment. Or, 'finished,' because He had fulfilled in doing and preaching all things from the beginning of the Gospel to His Passion.
Yet it is not 'all' barely, but 'all these;' for there were other sayings which He must speak before He should be delivered up.
Read all 10 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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