Matthew 26

The Plot to Kill Jesus

1 When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, 2 "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion."

3 At that time the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the courtyard of the high priest named Caiaphas; 4 and they plotted together to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. 5 But they were saying, "Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people."

The Precious Ointment

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon *26:6 I.e., a nickname; the man no doubt was curedthe Leper, 7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume, and she poured it on His head as He was reclining at the table.8 But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, "Why this waste? 9 For this perfume could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor." 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why are you bothering the woman? For she has done a good deed for Me.11 For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me.12 For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.13 Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her."

Judas’ Bargain

14 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What are you willing to give me *26:15 Lit and I willto *26:15 Or hand Him over tobetray Him to you?" And they set out for him thirty *26:15 I.e., silver shekelspieces of silver. 16 And from then on he looked for a good opportunity to *26:16 Or hand overbetray *26:16 Lit HimJesus.

17 Now on the first day of *26:17 I.e., Passover weekUnleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and *26:17 Lit saidasked, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?" 18 And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, "My time is near; I am keeping the Passover at your house with My disciples." ’ "19 The disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

The Last Passover

20 Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the *26:20 One early ms twelve disciplestwelve. 21 And as they were eating, He said, "Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me."22 Being deeply grieved, they began saying to Him, each one: "Surely it is not I, Lord?" 23 And He answered, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me.24 The Son of Man is going away just as it is written about Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good *26:24 Lit for him if that man had notfor that man if he had not been born."25 And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" Jesus *said to him, "You have said it yourself."

The Lord’s Supper Instituted

26 Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and *26:26 Lit having blessedafter a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you;28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it with you, new, in My Father’s kingdom."

30 And after singing a *26:30 Ps 113-118 were traditionally sung at Passoverhymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

31 Then Jesus *said to them, "You will all *26:31 I.e., have a lapse in faithfall away because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’32 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee."33 But Peter replied to Him, "Even if they all *26:33 I.e., from the faithfall away because of You, I will never fall away!" 34 Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."35 Peter *said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" All the disciples said the same thing as well.

The Garden of Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus *came with them to a place called *26:36 I.e., oil pressGethsemane, and *told His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."37 And He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He *said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."

39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."40 And He *came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and He *said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?41 Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is *26:41 Or eagerwilling, but the flesh is weak."

42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink from it, Your will be done."43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then He *came to the disciples and *said to them, "*26:45 Or Keep on sleeping for the time remaining andAre you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour *26:45 Or has approachedis at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.46 Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!"

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest

47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came *26:47 Lit and with himaccompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign previously, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him." 49 And immediately Judas went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you have come for." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him.

51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus *26:51 Lit extended the handreached and drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and *26:51 Lit took offcut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus *said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword.53 Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve *26:53 A legion equaled 6,000 troopslegions of angels?54 How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?"

55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a man inciting a revolt? Every day I used to sit within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me.56 But all this has taken place so that the Scriptures of the prophets will be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

Jesus before Caiaphas

57 Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58 But Peter was following Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and he came inside and sat down with the *26:58 Or servantsofficers to see the outcome.

59 Now the chief priests and the entire *26:59 Or SanhedrinCouncil kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60 They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, 61 and said, "This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the *26:61 Or sanctuarytemple of God and to rebuild it *26:61 Or afterin three days.’ " 62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, "Do You offer no answer for what these men are testifying against You?" 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, "I place You under oath by the living God, to tell us whether You are the *26:63 I.e., MessiahChrist, 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 hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."

65 Then the high priest tore his *26:65 Or outer garmentsrobes and said, "He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66 what do you think?" They answered, "He deserves death!"

67 Then they spit in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others *26:67 Or possibly beat Him with rodsslapped Him, 68 and said, "Prophesy to us, You *26:68 I.e., MessiahChrist; who is the one who hit You?"

Peter’s Denials

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a slave woman came to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about." 71 When he had gone out to the gateway, another slave woman saw him and *said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 And again he denied it, with an oath: "I do not know the man." 73 A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "You really are one of them as well, since even the way you talk *26:73 Lit makes you evidentgives you away." 74 Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the statement that Jesus had *26:75 Lit saidmade: "Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.