And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

MATTHEW 26:30KJV
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Matthew 26:30 (KJV)

What does Matthew 26:30 mean?

Matthew 26:30 describes how, after Jesus and his disciples finished their meal, they sang a hymn together and then left to go to the Mount of Olives. This verse marks the transition from the Last Supper to the events that will soon unfold in Gethsemane.

In this scene, Jesus is with his closest followers during their final meal before his arrest. The singing of a hymn was a customary part of the Passover meal, likely a psalm. The Mount of Olives is a significant location just outside Jerusalem, where Jesus often went to pray. This simple verse quietly sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow.

The Greek behind Matthew 26:30

  • ὕμνος (hymnos; G5214): This word means "hymn" or "song of praise." The Greek here suggests a formal, traditional song, likely one of the psalms sung at Passover, highlighting the Jewish context of the meal.
  • ἐξέρχομαι (exerchomai; G1831): Translated as "went out," this word carries the sense of leaving one place for another with purpose. It emphasizes the deliberate movement from the meal to the Mount of Olives, signaling a shift in the narrative.
  • ὄρος (oros; G3735): This is the Greek word for "mount" or "mountain." It shows that the Mount of Olives is not just a hill but a notable geographic feature, often associated with prayer and significant events in Jesus’ ministry.
  • Ἐλαιῶν (Elaion; G1636): Meaning "Olives," this specifies the location as the Mount of Olives, a place with deep symbolic and prophetic meaning in Jewish tradition.

Why Matthew 26:30 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jesus and his disciples followed Jewish customs, including singing psalms at Passover, grounding the story in its historical and religious context.
  • The mention of the Mount of Olives connects this moment to earlier and later events in Jesus’ life, as it is a place of teaching, prayer, and prophecy.
  • By showing the calm, purposeful actions of Jesus and his disciples, the verse highlights the contrast with the turmoil that is about to begin, underscoring the significance of what is to come.

Where else these words appear

“hymn” Greek G5214 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 14:26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
  • Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
  • Hebrews 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

“Olives” Greek G1636 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
  • Mark 14:26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
  • John 8:1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.

“mount” Greek G3735 · used in 65 verses

  • Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
  • Mark 11:1 And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
  • John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.