Matthew 26

1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, He told His disciples,

2 “You know that the Passover is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

3 At that time the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,

4 and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.

5 “But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,

7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

8 When His disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste?

9 This perfume could have been sold at a high price, and the money given to the poor.”

10 Aware of this, Jesus asked, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.

11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.

12 By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial.

13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

14 Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests

15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver.

16 So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

18 He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’”

19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining with the Twelve.

21 And while they were eating, He said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.”

22 They were deeply grieved and began to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?”

23 Jesus answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me.

24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

25 Then Judas, who would betray Him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself.”

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.”

27 Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.

28 This is My blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

29 I tell you, 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 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

31 Then Jesus said to them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me. 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 ahead of you into Galilee.”

33 Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.”

34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

35 Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

36 Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

37 He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.

38 Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”

39 Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

40 Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter.

41 “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

42 A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass from Me unless I drink it, may Your will be done.”

43 And Jesus returned and found them sleeping again, for their eyes were heavy.

44 So He left them and went away once more and prayed a third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then He returned to His disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Rise, let us go! See, My betrayer is approaching!”

47 While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.”

49 Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

50 “Friend,” Jesus replied, “why have you come?” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him.

51 At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will perish by the sword.

53 Are you not aware that I can call on My Father right now, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

55 At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I sat with you teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me.

56 But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

57 Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered.

58 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.

60 But they did not find any. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. Finally two false witnesses came forward

61 and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

62 So the high priest stood up and asked Him, “Have You no answer? What are these men testifying against You?”

63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

64 “You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy.

66 What do you think?” “He deserves to die,” they answered.

67 Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him

68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?”

69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.”

71 When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.”

74 At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.

75 Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

1 ¶ And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto 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.›

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,

4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill [him].

5 But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar 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 box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat [at meat].

8 But when his 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 When Jesus understood [it], he 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 hath poured this ointment on my body, she did› [it] ‹for my 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.›

14 ¶ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto 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.

16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

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?

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.›

19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

21 And as they did eat, he said, ‹Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.›

22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

23 And he answered and said, ‹He that dippeth› [his] ‹hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.›

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.›

25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, ‹Thou hast said.›

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.›

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, ‹Drink ye all of it;›

28 ‹For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission 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.›

30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into 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.›

32 ‹But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.›

33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all [men] shall be offended because of thee, [yet] will I 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 said unto him, Though I should 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 the disciples, ‹Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.›

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38 Then saith he unto them, ‹My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and 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].

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, 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 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.›

43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

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.›

46 ‹Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray 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 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.

49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; 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.

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.

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.›

53 ‹Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?›

54 ‹But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?›

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.›

56 ‹But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.› Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

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.

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.

59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to 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,

61 And said, This [fellow] said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build 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?

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.

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.›

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.

66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote [him] with the palms of their hands,

68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

69 ¶ Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

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 said unto them that were there, This [fellow] was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

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.

74 Then began he to curse and to swear, [saying], I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

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.

1 And it came to pass, when JEsus had finished all these sayings, he saith unto his disciples:

2 Ye know that after two days shall be the passover, and the Son of man shall be delivered up to be crucified.

3 And the chief priests and the scribes and the elders of the people were gathered together in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,

4 And took counsel how they might take JEsum with guile, and kill him.

5 And they said, Yea, not at the feast, lest there be a tumult among the people.

6 Now when JEsus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,

7 And there came unto him a woman having a jar of choice water, and poured it upon his head, as he sat at meat.

8 And when his disciples saw it, they were displeased, and said: What is the use of this rubbish?

9 This water might have been sold dearly, and given to the poor.

10 When JEsus perceived it, he saith unto them: Why trouble ye the woman? she hath done a good work for me.

11 Ye have always the poor with you: but me ye have not always.

12 Because she hath poured this water upon my body, she hath done that I should be buried.

13 Verily I say unto you, That wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in all the world, it shall also be spoken in remembrance of her, what she hath done.

14 And one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests.

15 And said, What will ye give me? I will betray him unto you. And they offered him thirty pieces of silver.

16 And from that time he sought occasion to betray him.

17 But on the first day of sweet bread the disciples came to JEsu, and said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?

18 And he said, Go into the city to one, and say unto him, The Master saith unto thee, My time is here: I will keep the passover with thee with my disciples.

19 And the disciples did as JEsus commanded them, and prepared the passover.

20 And in the evening he sat down to meat with the twelve.

21 And as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, One of you shall betray me.

22 And they were very sorrowful, and lifted up every one of them, and said unto him, Lord, is it I?

23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish shall betray me.

24 The Son of man passeth away, as it is written of him: but woe unto that man, by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It were better for him that the same man were never yet born.

25 Then answered Judas that betrayed him, and said, Is it I, Rabbi? And he said unto him, Thou sayest it.

26 And as they were eating, JESUS took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my body.

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it.

28 This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

29 I say unto you: From henceforth I will drink no more of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

29 And the chief priests, and the elders, and all the council, sought to bear false witness against JEsum, that they might put him to death,

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

31 Then said JEsus unto them: This night ye shall all be offended in me: for it is written: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.

32 But when I rise again, I will go before you into Galilee.

33 And Peter answered and said unto him, Though they all be offended at thee, yet will I never be offended.

34 And 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, And if I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

36 Then came JE with them unto a court which was called Gethsemane, and said unto his disciples, Sit ye here, until I go and pray.

37 And he took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to mourn and to tremble.

38 Then said JEsus unto them: My soul is troubled even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39 And he went a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

40 And he came to his disciples, and found them sleeping, and said unto Peter, Can ye not watch with me one hour?

40 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 And again he went and prayed, saying, My Father, is it not possible that this cup should pass from me, and I drink it? so let thy will be done.

43 And he came, and found them sleeping again, and their eyes were full of sleep.

44 And he left them, and went again, and prayed the third time, and spake the same words.

45 Then came he to his disciples, and said unto them: Ah, will ye now sleep and rest? Behold, the hour is here, that the Son of man should be delivered into the hands of sinners.

46 Arise, let us go! Behold, he is here who betrays me!

47 And while he yet spake, behold, 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.

48 And the traitor had given them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; seize him.

49 And straightway he came to JEsu, and said, Hail, Rabbi; and kissed him.

50 And JEsus said unto him, My friend, why art thou come? And they came and laid hands on JEsus, and took him.

51 And, behold, one of them that were with JEsu put forth his hand, and drew out his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

52 Then said JEsus unto him, Put up thy sword into his place: for he that taketh the sword shall perish by the sword.

53 Or thinkest thou that I cannot pray my Father, that he would send me more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how shall the scripture be fulfilled? It must go thus.

55 At that hour said JESUS unto the multitudes: Ye are come out as against a murderer with swords and staves to seize me: for I sat daily with you, and taught in the temple, and ye took me not.

56 But all these things came 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 JEsum brought him unto Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders were gathered together.

58 And Peter followed him afar off unto the palace of the high priest, and went in, and sat with the servants, that he might see whither it went out.

60 And found none. And though many false witnesses came forward, yet they found none. And at the last there came two false witnesses

61 And they said: He hath said, I can break down the temple of God, and build the same in three days.

62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing to the things which these witness against thee?

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.

64 And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest it. But I say unto you, That from henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

65 And the high priest rent his clothes, and said, He hath blasphemed God: what need have we any further testimony? Behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

66 what think ye? They answered and said: He is guilty of death.

67 And they spat in his face, and smote him with their fists. And some of them smote him in the face

68 And they said: Prophesy unto us, O Christ, who is it that smote thee?

69 And Peter sat without in the palace. And there came a maid unto him, and said, And thou also wast with JEsu of Galilee.

70 But he denied before them all, saying: I know not what thou sayest.

71 And as he went out at the door, another saw him, and said unto them that were there: This also was with JEsu of Nazareth.

72 And he denied again, and sware unto it: I know not man.

73 And after a little while they that sat by came and said unto Peter, Verily thou also art one of these: for thy speech betrayeth thee.

74 then began he to curse himself, and to swear: I know not man. And straightway the cock crowed.

75 Then Peter remembered the words of JESUS, saying unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.