Matthew 26
1 When Jesus had finished teaching all of that, he said to his disciples,
When Jesus had finished all these words, 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 coming, and the Son of Man will be 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, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas.
4 and plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and put him to death;
They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit and kill him.
5 but they said, ‘Not during the Festival, or the people may riot.’
But they said, “Not during the feast, lest a riot occur amongst the people.”
6 After Jesus had reached Bethany, and while he was in the house of Simon the leper,
Now 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.
a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table.
8 The disciples were indignant at seeing this. ‘What is this waste for?’ they exclaimed.
But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?
9 ‘It could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to poor people.’
For this ointment might 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.
However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me.
11 You always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.
For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.
12 In pouring this perfume on my body, she prepares me for my burial.
For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did 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.’
Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as 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, who was 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 if I deliver him to you?” So they weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver.
16 So from that time Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
From that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
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?’
Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you 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 said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’”
19 The disciples did as Jesus directed them, and prepared the Passover.
The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 In the evening Jesus took his place with the twelve disciples,
Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.
21 and, while they were eating, he said, ‘I tell you that one of you will betray me.’
As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”
22 In great grief they began to say to him, one by one, ‘Can it be I, Master?’
They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?”
23 ‘The one who dipped his bread beside me in the dish,’ replied Jesus, ‘is the one who will betray me.
He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me.
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 even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better 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.
Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.”
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.’
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave 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;
He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink 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 for 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 tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”
30 They then sang a hymn, and went out to the Mount of Olives.
When they had sung a hymn, they went out to 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 be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32 But, after I have risen, I will go before you into Galilee.’
But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”
33 ‘If everyone else falls away from you,’ Peter answered, ‘I will never fall away!’
But Peter answered him, “Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble.”
34 ‘I tell you,’ replied Jesus, ‘that this very night, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times!’
Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster 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, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.
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, while I go there and pray.”
37 Taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to show signs of sadness and deep distress of mind.
He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled.
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 exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay 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.’
He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.”
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?
He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for 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, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed 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 can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done.”
43 And coming back again he found them asleep, for their eyes were heavy.
He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
44 So he left them, and went away again, and prayed a third time, again saying the same words.
He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words.
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, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 Up, and let us be going. Look! My betrayer is close at hand.’
Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me 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.
While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, 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.’
Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.”
49 So he went up to Jesus at once, and exclaimed, ‘Welcome, Rabbi!’ and kissed him;
Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Greetings, 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, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
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.
Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high 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 your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die 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?
Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But in that case how would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say that this must be?’
How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?”
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.’
In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me.
56 The whole of this occurred in fulfilment of the prophetic scriptures. Then the disciples all forsook him and fled.
But all this has happened 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.
Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.
58 Peter followed him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard, to see the outcome.
But Peter followed him from a distance to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, 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,
Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council 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 they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward
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?’
The high priest stood up and said to him, “Have you no answer? What is this that 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 stayed silent. The high priest answered 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 so. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.”
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 high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy.
66 What is your decision?’ They answered, ‘He deserves death.’
What do you think?” They answered, “He is worthy of death!”
67 Then they spat in his face, and struck him, while others dealt blows at him, saying as they did so,
Then they spat in his face and beat him with their fists, and some slapped him,
68 ‘Now play the prophet for us, you Christ! Who was it that struck you?’
saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who hit 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!’
Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, “You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!”
70 But Peter denied it before them all. ‘I do not know what you mean,’ he replied.
But he denied it before them all, saying, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
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!’
When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him and said to those who were there, “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 Again he denied it with an oath, ‘I do not know the man!’
Again he denied it with an oath, “I don’t know 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, “Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known.”
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 don’t know the man!” Immediately the rooster crowed.
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.
Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Then he went out and wept bitterly.
