Matthew 26
1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
After Jesus had said all this, he told his disciples,
2 Ye know that after two days is [the feast of] the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
“You know that it's Passover in two days time, and the Son of man will be handed over to be crucified.”
3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of Caiaphas, the high priest.
4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill [him].
There they plotted to arrest Jesus on some deceitful pretext and kill him.
5 But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar among the people.
But they said, “Let's not do this during the festival so that the people don't riot.”
6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
While Jesus was staying at Simon the leper's house in Bethany,
7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat [at meat].
a woman came over to him carrying an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus' head while he was sitting eating. But when the disciples saw what she did, they were upset.
8 But when his disciples saw [it], they had indignation, saying, To what purpose [is] this waste?
“What a terrible waste!” they objected.
9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
“This perfume could've been sold for a lot of money and given to the poor!”
10 When Jesus understood [it], he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
Jesus was aware of what was going on and told them, “Why are you upset with this woman? She's done something wonderful for me!
11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
You'll always have the poor with you, but you won't always have me.
12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did [it] for my burial.
By pouring this perfume on my body she's prepared me for burial.
13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, [there] shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
I tell you the truth: wherever in the world this good news is spread, the story of what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the chief priests
15 And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
and asked them, “How much will you pay me for betraying Jesus to you?” They paid him thirty silver coins.
16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
From then on he looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
17 Now the first [day] of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
On the first day of the festival of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you to eat?”
18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
Jesus told them, “Go into the city and find this particular man, and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is approaching. I'm coming to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’”
19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
The disciples did as Jesus told them, and prepared the Passover meal there.
20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
When evening came he sat down to eat with the Twelve.
21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
While they were eating he told them, “I tell you the truth: one of you is going to betray me.”
22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
They were extremely upset. One after the other they asked him, “Lord, it's not me, is it?”
23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth [his] hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
“The one who's dipped his hand into the dish with me will betray me,” Jesus replied.
24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
“The Son of man will die just as it was prophesied about him, but what a disaster it will be for the man who betrays the Son of man! It would be better for that man if he'd never been born!”
25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Judas, the one who would betray Jesus, asked “It's not me, is it, Rabbi?” “You said it,” Jesus replied.
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed [it], and brake [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
While they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave pieces to the disciples. “Take and eat this for it is my body,” said Jesus.
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Then he picked up the cup, blessed it, and gave it to them. “Drink from it, all of you,” he told them.
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
“For this is my blood of the agreement, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
However, I tell you, I won't drink this fruit of the vine until the day I drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.”
30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
After they'd sung a song, they left for the Mount of Olives.
31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
“All of you will abandon me tonight,” Jesus told them. “As Scripture says, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the flock of sheep will be completely scattered.’
32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
But after I have risen, I'll go ahead of you to Galilee.”
33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all [men] shall be offended because of thee, [yet] will I never be offended.
But Peter objected, “Even if everyone else abandons you, I'll never abandon you.”
34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
“I'm telling you the truth,” Jesus told him, “This very night, before the cock crows, you'll deny me three times.”
35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
“Even if I have to die with you, I'll never deny you!” Peter insisted. And all the disciples said the same thing.
36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He told them, “Sit down here while I go over there and pray.”
37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him, and he began to suffer agonizing sorrow and distress.
38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Then he said to them, “I am so overwhelmed with sadness that it's killing me. Wait here and keep watch with me.”
39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt].
He went a little farther forward, fell face down, and prayed. “My Father, please, if it's possible, let this cup of suffering be taken from me,” Jesus asked. “Even so, may it not be what I want but what you want.”
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
He went back to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “What, you couldn't stay awake with me for just one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.
Stay awake and pray, so that you don't fall into temptation. Yes, the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
He went away a second time and prayed. “My Father, if this cup cannot be taken from me without me drinking from it, then your will be done,” he said.
43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
He went back and found them sleeping, for they just couldn't stay awake.
44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
So he left them once more, and went off and prayed a third time, repeating the same things.
45 Then 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.
Then he returned to the disciples, and told them, “How can you still be sleeping and resting? Look, the time has come. The Son of man is about to be betrayed into the hands of sinners!
46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
Get up, let's go! See, the one who's betraying me has arrived.”
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 priests and elders of the people.
As he said this, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived with a large mob armed with swords and clubs sent by the chief priests and elders of the people.
48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
The betrayer had arranged to give them a signal: “The one that I kiss, that's him—arrest him,” he'd told them.
49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
Judas came up to Jesus immediately, and said, “Hello, Rabbi,” and kissed him.
50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
“My friend, do what you came to do,” Jesus said to Judas. So they came and grabbed hold of Jesus, and arrested him.
51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out [his] hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
One of those who was with Jesus reached for his sword and pulled it out. He struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear.
52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
But Jesus told him, “Put your sword away. Everyone who fights with the sword will die by the sword.
53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Don't you think I could ask my Father, and he'd immediately send more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
But then how could the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must be like this?”
55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
Then Jesus told the mob, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me as if I was some kind of dangerous criminal? Every day I sat in the Temple teaching and you didn't arrest me then.
56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
But all this is happening to fulfill what the prophets wrote.” Then all the disciples abandoned him and ran away.
57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led [him] away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
Those who'd arrested Jesus took him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the religious teachers and elders had gathered.
58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
Peter followed him at a distance, and went into the high priest's courtyard. He sat there with the guards to see how things would end.
59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
The chief priests and the whole council were trying to find some false evidence against Jesus so they could put him to death.
60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, [yet] found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
But they couldn't find anything, even though many false witnesses came forward. Eventually two came forward
61 And said, This [fellow] said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
and reported, “This man said, ‘I can destroy God's Temple, and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what [is it which] these witness against thee?
The high priest stood up and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What do you have to say in your defense?”
63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to Jesus, “In the name of the living God I place you under oath. Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
“You said it,” Jesus replied. “And I also tell you that in the future you'll see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the Almighty, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
Then the high priest tore his clothes, and said, “He's speaking blasphemy! Why do we need any witnesses? Look, now you've heard for yourselves his blasphemy!
66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
What's your verdict?” “Guilty! He deserves to die!” they answered.
67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
Then they spat in his face and beat him. Some of them slapped him with their hands,
68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
and said, “Prophesy to us, you ‘Messiah’! Who just hit you?”
69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
Meanwhile Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came up to him, and said, “You were with Jesus the Galilean too!”
70 But he denied before [them] all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
But he denied it in front of everyone. “I don't know what you're talking about,” he said.
71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another [maid] saw him, and said unto them that were there, This [fellow] was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
When he went back to the courtyard entrance another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
Once again he denied it, saying with an oath, “I don't know him.”
73 And after a while came unto [him] they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art [one] of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
A little while later the people standing there came up to Peter and said, “You definitely are one of them. Your accent gives you away.”
74 Then began he to curse and to swear, [saying], I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
Then he started to swear: “Curses on me if I'm a liar! I don't know the man!” Immediately the cock crowed.
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Then Peter remembered what Jesus had told him: “Before the cock crows, three times you will deny knowing me.” He went outside and wept bitterly.
