Matthew 26

1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these words, he said unto his disciples,2 Ye know that after two days the passover cometh, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified.3 Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas;4 and they took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.5 But they said, Not during the feast, lest a tumult arise among the people.

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,7 there came unto him a woman having an alabaster cruse of exceeding precious ointment, and she poured it upon his head, as he sat at meat.8 But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.10 But Jesus perceiving it said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.12 For in that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,15 and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver.16 And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him unto them.

17 Now on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt thou that we make ready for thee to eat the passover?18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Teacher saith, My time is at hand; I keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.19 And the disciples did as Jesus appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

20 Now when even was come, he was sitting at meat with the twelve disciples;21 and as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began to say unto him every one, Is it I, Lord?23 And he answered and said, He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.24 The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born.25 And Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said, Is it I, Rabbi? He saith unto him, Thou hast said.

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.27 And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins.29 But I say unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives.

31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.33 But Peter answered and said unto him, If all shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended.34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.35 Peter saith unto him, Even if I must die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray.37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and sore troubled.38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me.39 And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.42 Again a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, My Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done.43 And he came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.44 And he left them again, and went away, and prayed a third time, saying again the same words.45 Then cometh he to the 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.46 Arise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that betrayeth me.

47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priest and elders of the people.48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: take him.49 And straightway he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Rabbi; and kissed him.50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, do that for which thou art come. Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.51 And behold, one of them that were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.52 Then saith Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.53 Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?54 How then should the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be?55 In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and staves to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye took me not.56 But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him, and fled.

57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.58 But Peter followed him afar off, unto the court of the high priest, and entered in, and sat with the officers, to see the end.59 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death;60 and they found it not, though many false witnesses came. But afterward came two,61 and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.62 And the high priest stood up, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God.64 Jesus said unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.65 Then the high priest rent his garments, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy: what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard the blasphemy:66 what think ye? They answered and said, He is worthy of death.67 Then did they spit in his face and buffet him: and some smote him with the palms of their hands,68 saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ: who is he that struck thee?

69 Now Peter was sitting without in the court: and a maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilaean.70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.72 And again he denied with an oath, I know not the man.73 And after a little while they that stood by came and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art one of them; for thy speech maketh thee known.74 Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And straightway the cock crew.75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Matthew 26

The Plot Against Jesus

1 Whent Jesus had finished saying all these things, he told his disciples,2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed overt to be crucified.”s3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people met together in the palace of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas.4 Theyt planned to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.

5 But they said, “Not during the feast, so that there won’t be a riot among the people.”s

Jesus’ Anointing

6 Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper,7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jars of expensive perfumed oil,ts and she poured it on his head as he was at the table.ts8 Whent the disciples saw this, they became indignant and said, “Why this waste?9 Itt could have been sold at a high price and the moneyt given to the poor!”10 Whent Jesus learned of this, he said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? Shet has done a good service for me.11 For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me!t12 Whent she poured this oil on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

13 I tell you the truth,t wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

The Plan to Betray Jesus

14 Then one of the twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests15 and said, “What will you give me to betray him into your hands?”t So they set out thirty silver coins for him.

16 From that timet on, Judast began looking for an opportunity to betray him.

The Passover

17 Now on the first day of the feast oft Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and said,t “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”s18 Het said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I will observe the Passover with my disciples at your house.”’”19 Sot the disciples did as Jesus had instructed them, and they prepared the Passover.20 Whent it was evening, he took his place at the tablet with the twelve.s21 And while they were eating he said, “I tell you the truth,t one of you will betray me.”t22 Theyt became greatly distressedt and each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?”23 Het answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with mes will betray me.24 The Son of Man will go as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born.”

25 Thent Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesust replied, “You have said it yourself.”

The Lord’s Supper

26 Whilet they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat, this is my body.”27 And after taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you,28 for this is my blood, the bloodt of the covenant,ss that is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.29 It tell you, from now on I will not drink of this fruitt of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 Aftert singing a hymn,s they went out to the Mount of Olives.

The Prediction of Peter’s Denial

31 Then Jesus said to them, “This night you will all fall away because of me, for it is written:
‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’s
32 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”33 Petert said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!”34 Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth,t on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.” And all the disciples said the same thing.

Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and became anguished and distressed.38 Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.”39 Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed,t “My Father, if possible,t let this cups pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.”40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. Het said to Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour?41 Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”42 He went away a second time and prayed,t “My Father, if this cupt cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done.”43 He came again and found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open.t44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same thing once more.45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is approaching, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayert is approaching!”

Betrayal and Arrest

47 While he was still speaking, Judas,t one of the twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people.48 (Now the betrayert had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man.t Arrest him!”)s49 Immediatelyt he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and kissed him.s50 Jesust said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and took holdt of Jesus and arrested him.51 Butt one of those with Jesus grabbedt his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest’s slave,t cutting off his ear.52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place!t For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword.53 Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legionss of angels right now?54 How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled?”55 At that moment Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw?t Day after day I sat teaching in the temple courts, yett you did not arrest me.

56 But this has happened so thatt the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Condemned by the Sanhedrin

57 Now the ones who had arrested Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, in whose houset the experts in the lawt and the elders had gathered.58 But Peter was following him from a distance, all the way to the high priest’s courtyard. Aftert going in, he sat with the guardss to see the outcome.59 Thet chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were trying to find false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death.60 But they did not find anything, though many false witnesses came forward. Finallyt two came forward61 and declared, “This mant said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”62 Sot the high priest stood up and said to him, “Have you no answer? What is this that they are testifying against you?”63 But Jesus was silent. Thet high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ,ts the Son of God.”64 Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hands of the Powers and coming on the clouds of heaven.”s65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and declared,t “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Nowt you have heard the blasphemy!66 What is your verdict?”t Theyt answered, “He is guilty and deservest death.”67 Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists. And some slapped him,

68 saying, “Prophesy for us, you Christ!ts Who hit you?”ts

Peter’s Denials

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. At slave girlt came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.”70 But he denied it in front of them all:t “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”71 Whent he went out to the gateway, another slave girlt saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.”72 He denied it again with an oath, “I do not know the man!”73 Aftert a little while, those standing there came up to Peter and said, “You really are one of them too – even your accentt gives you away!”74 At that he began to curse, and he swore with an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment a rooster crowed.t

75 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.s