Matthew 26
1 When Jesus had finished teaching all of that, he said to his disciples,
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these words, that he said to his disciples:
2 ‘You know that in two days time the Festival of the Passover will be here; and that the Son of Man is to be given up to be crucified.’
You know that after two days the passover is kept, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified.
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people met in the house of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Then the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people met together at the palace of the chief priest, who was called Caiaphas.
4 and plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and put him to death;
And they consulted together that they might take Jesus by craft and kill him.
5 but they said, ‘Not during the Festival, or the people may riot.’
But they said: Not during the feast, lest there be a tumult among the people.
6 After Jesus had reached Bethany, and while he was in the house of Simon the leper,
When Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of very costly perfume, and poured the perfume on his head as he sat at the table.
there came to him a woman who had an alabaster box of very costly ointment; and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.
8 The disciples were indignant at seeing this. ‘What is this waste for?’ they exclaimed.
But when his disciples saw it, they were displeased, and said: For what purpose was this waste?
9 ‘It could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to poor people.’
For this could have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
10 ‘Why are you troubling the woman?’ Jesus said, when he noticed it. ‘For this is a beautiful deed that she has done to me.
Jesus perceived it, and said to them: Why do you trouble the woman? For she has performed a good work upon me.
11 You always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.
For you have the poor always with you, but me you have not always.
12 In pouring this perfume on my body, she prepares me for my burial.
For in pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.
13 I tell you, wherever, in the whole world, this good news is proclaimed, what this woman has done will be told in memory of her.’
Verily I say to you, Wherever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, this also which she has done shall be told for a memorial of her.
14 It was then that one of the Twelve, named Judas Iscariot, made his way to the chief priests,
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests,
15 and said ‘What are you willing to give me, if I betray Jesus to you?’ The Priests counted him out thirty pieces of silver as payment.
and said: What are you willing to give me, and I will deliver him to you? And they weighed to him thirty pieces of silver.
16 So from that time Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
And from that time he sought an opportunity to deliver him up.
17 On the first day of the Festival of the unleavened bread, the disciples came up to Jesus, and said, ‘Where do you wish us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’
On the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, and said to him: Where dost thou wish that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
18 ‘Go into the city to a certain man,’ he answered, ‘and say to him “The teacher says – My time is near. I will keep the Passover with my disciples at your house.”’
He replied: Go into the city, to a certain man, and say to him, The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the passover at your house, with my disciples.
19 The disciples did as Jesus directed them, and prepared the Passover.
And the disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and prepared the passover.
20 In the evening Jesus took his place with the twelve disciples,
When the evening had come, he reclined at table with the twelve.
21 and, while they were eating, he said, ‘I tell you that one of you will betray me.’
And as they were eating, he said: Verily I say to you, One of you will deliver me up.
22 In great grief they began to say to him, one by one, ‘Can it be I, Master?’
And they were very sad, and began each one of them to say to him: Lord, is it I?
23 ‘The one who dipped his bread beside me in the dish,’ replied Jesus, ‘is the one who will betray me.
He answered and said: He that dips his hand with me in the dish, will deliver me up.
24 True, the Son of Man must go, as scripture says of him, yet alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is being betrayed! For that man it would be better never to have been born!’
The Son of man goes, as it is written of him; but alas for that man by whom the Son of man is delivered up! It would have been good for that man, if he had not been born.
25 Judas, who was betraying him, turned to him and said, ‘Can it be I, Rabbi?’ ‘It is,’ answered Jesus.
And Judas, who delivered him up, answered and said: Rabbi, is it I? He replied: You have said.
26 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and, after saying the blessing, broke it and, as he gave it to his disciples, said, ‘Take it and eat it; this is my body.’
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said: Take, eat; this is my body.
27 Then he took a cup, and, after saying the thanksgiving, gave it to them, with the words, ‘Drink from it, all of you;
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: Do you all drink of it:
28 for this is my covenant blood, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many in order to the remission of sins.
29 I tell you that I will never, after this, drink of this juice of the grape, until that day when I will drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.’
But I say to you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, till that day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.
30 They then sang a hymn, and went out to the Mount of Olives.
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
31 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Even you will all fall away from me tonight. Scripture says – “I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”
Then Jesus said to them: All of you will he offended at me this night; for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.
32 But, after I have risen, I will go before you into Galilee.’
But after I have risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
33 ‘If everyone else falls away from you,’ Peter answered, ‘I will never fall away!’
Peter answered and said to him: Though all shall be offended at thee, yet will I never be offended.
34 ‘I tell you,’ replied Jesus, ‘that this very night, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times!’
Jesus said to him: Verily I say to you, This night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.
35 ‘Even if I must die with you,’ Peter exclaimed, ‘I will never disown you!’ All the disciples spoke in the same way.
Peter said to him: Though it should be necessary for me to die with thee, I will not deny thee. In like manner said all the disciples.
36 Then Jesus came with them to a garden called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit down here while I go and pray over there.’
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples: Sit here, till I go and pray yonder.
37 Taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to show signs of sadness and deep distress of mind.
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be in deep distress and anguish of soul.
38 ‘I am sad at heart,’ he said, ‘sad even to death; wait here and watch with me.’
Then Jesus said to them: My soul is encompassed with sorrow even to death; remain here, and watch with me.
39 Going on a little further, he threw himself on his face in prayer. ‘My Father,’ he said, ‘if it is possible, let me be spared this cup; only, not as I will, but as you will.’
And he went forward a little, and fell on his face in prayer, saying: My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as thou willest.
40 Then he came to his disciples, and found them asleep. ‘What!’ he said to Peter, ‘could none of you watch with me for one hour?
And he came to his disciples, and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter: Was it so, that you had not strength to watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray so that you don’t fall into temptation. True, the spirit is eager, but human nature is weak.’
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is, willing, but the flesh is weak.
42 Again, a second time, he went away, and prayed. ‘My Father,’ he said, ‘if I cannot be spared this cup, but must drink it, your will be done!’
Again, a second time, he went away, and prayed, saying: My Father, if this cup cannot pass from me, unless I drink it, thy will be done.
43 And coming back again he found them asleep, for their eyes were heavy.
And he came and found them sleeping again, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So he left them, and went away again, and prayed a third time, again saying the same words.
And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 Then he came to the disciples, and said, ‘Sleep on now, and rest yourselves. Look – my time is close at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of wicked people.
Then he came to his disciples, and said to them: Bleep what time is left, and take your rest; behold, the hour draws near, and the Son of man is delivered into the hands of sinners.
46 Up, and let us be going. Look! My betrayer is close at hand.’
Arise, let us go; behold, he that delivers me up is at hand.
47 And, while he was still speaking, Judas, who was one of the Twelve, came in sight; and with him was a great crowd of people, with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.
And while he was yet speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.
48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them. ‘The man whom I kiss,’ he had said, ‘will be the one; arrest him.’
He that delivered him up had given them a sign, saying: The one that I shall kiss is he; hold him fast.
49 So he went up to Jesus at once, and exclaimed, ‘Welcome, Rabbi!’ and kissed him;
And immediately he came to Jesus, and said: Hail, Rabbi! and kissed him.
50 at which Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you have come for.’ The men went up, seized Jesus, and arrested him.
Jesus said to him: Friend, for what purpose have you come? Then they came, and laid hands on Jesus, and held him fast.
51 Suddenly one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and striking the high priest’s servant, cut off his ear.
And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the chief priest, and cut off his ear.
52 ‘Sheathe your sword,’ Jesus said, ‘for all who draw the sword will be put to the sword.
Then Jesus said to him: Put back your sword into its place; for all that take the sword, shall perish by the sword.
53 Do you think that I cannot ask my Father for help, when he would at once send to my aid more than twelve legions of angels?
Do you think that I can not now call upon my Father, and he would cause more than twelve legions of angels to stand by me?
54 But in that case how would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say that this must be?’
But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
55 Jesus at the same time said to the crowds, ‘Have you come out, as if after a robber, with swords and clubs, to take me? I have sat teaching day after day in the Temple Courts, and yet you did not arrest me.’
At the same time Jesus said to the multitudes: Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to take me? I sat daily with you in the temple and taught, and you did not take me.
56 The whole of this occurred in fulfilment of the prophetic scriptures. Then the disciples all forsook him and fled.
All this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him and fled.
57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the Law and elders had assembled.
And those who took Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the chief priest, where the scribes and elders had come together.
58 Peter followed him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard, to see the outcome.
But Peter followed him, at a distance, to the palace of the chief priest, and went in and sat with the attendants, to see the end.
59 Meanwhile the chief priests and the whole of the High Council were trying to get such false evidence against Jesus, as would warrant putting him to death,
And the chief priests and the elders, and the whole Sanhedrin, sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death,
60 but they did not find any, although many came forward with false evidence. Later on, however, two men came forward and said,
and found none. Though many false witnesses came, yet they found none. At last two false witnesses came,
61 ‘This man said “I am able to destroy the Temple of God, and to build it in three days.”’
and said: This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
62 Then the high priest stood up, and said to Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is this evidence which these men are giving against you?’
And the chief priest arose, and said to him: Do you make no answer? What do these testify against you?
63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I order you, by the living God, to tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.’
But Jesus remained silent. And the chief priest answered and said to him: I adjure you, by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God?
64 ‘It is true,’ Jesus answered, ‘Moreover I tell you all that hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Almighty, and coming on the clouds of the heavens.’
Jesus said to him: You have said. Moreover, I say to you, Hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the Almighty, and coming upon the clouds of heaven.
65 Then the high priest tore his robes. ‘This is blasphemy!’ he exclaimed. ‘Why do we want any more witnesses? You have just heard his blasphemy!
Then the chief priest rent his clothes, and said: He has spoken impiously; what further need have we of witnesses? See now, you have heard his impious words:
66 What is your decision?’ They answered, ‘He deserves death.’
What think you? They answered and said: He is a subject for death.
67 Then they spat in his face, and struck him, while others dealt blows at him, saying as they did so,
Then did they spit in his face, and strike him with their fists; some struck him with the open hand,
68 ‘Now play the prophet for us, you Christ! Who was it that struck you?’
and said: Give a response to us, Christ: Who is he that struck you?
69 Peter, meanwhile, was sitting outside in the courtyard; and a maidservant came up to him, and exclaimed, ‘Why, you were with Jesus the Galilean!’
But Peter was sitting without in the court; and a maid-servant came to him, and said: You also were with Jesus of Galilee.
70 But Peter denied it before them all. ‘I do not know what you mean,’ he replied.
But he denied before them all, saying: I know not what you say.
71 When he had gone out into the gateway, another maid saw him, and said to those who were there, ‘This man was with Jesus of Nazareth!’
And when he went out into the entrance, another maid-servant saw him, and said to those who were there: This man was also with Jesus the Nazarene.
72 Again he denied it with an oath, ‘I do not know the man!’
And again he denied, with an oath: I know not the man.
73 But soon afterwards those who were standing by came up and said to Peter, ‘You also are certainly one of them; why, even your way of speaking proves it!’
After a little while, those who stood by came and said to Peter: Of a truth you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.
74 Then Peter said, ‘I swear that I do not know the man! May God punish me if I am lying!’ At that moment a cock crowed;
Then he began to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
75 and Peter remembered the words which Jesus had said – “Before a cock has crowed, you will disown me three times”; and he went outside, and wept bitterly.
And Peter remembered the word which. Jesus had spoken to him: Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
