Matthew 26

The Plot to Kill Jesus

11When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, 2“2You know that after two days 3the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be 4handed over for crucifixion.”

35Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in 6the court of the high priest, named 7Caiaphas; 4and they 8plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. 5But they were saying, “Not during the festival, 9otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”

The Precious Ointment

610Now when Jesus was in 11Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, 712a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. 8But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? 9For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. 11For you always have 13the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it 14to prepare Me for burial. 13Truly I say to you, 15wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

Judas’s Bargain

1416Then one of the twelve, named 17Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What are you willing to give me 18to 1920betray Him to you?” And 21they weighed out thirty 22pieces of silver to him. 16From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to 23betray 24Jesus.

1725Now on the first day of 26Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 18And He said, “Go into the city to 27a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “28My time is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’” 19The disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

The Last Passover

2029Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. 21As they were eating, He said, “30Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” 22Being deeply grieved, they 31each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23And He answered, “32He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. 24The Son of Man is to go, 33just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! 34It would have been good 35for that man if he had not been born.” 25And 36Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, 37Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “38You have said it yourself.”

The Lord’s Supper Instituted

2639While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and 4041after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28for 42this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for 43many for forgiveness of sins. 29But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

3044After singing a hymn, they went out to 45the Mount of Olives.

31Then Jesus said to them, “You will all 4647fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘48I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be 49scattered.’ 32But after I have been raised, 50I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may 51fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” 34Jesus said to him, “52Truly I say to you that 53this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35Peter said to Him, “54Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.

The Garden of Gethsemane

3655Then Jesus came with them to a place called 56Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37And He took with Him 57Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38Then He said to them, “58My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and 59keep watch with Me.”

39And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let 60this cup pass from Me; 61yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not 62keep watch with Me for one hour? 4163Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; 64the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this 65cannot pass away unless I drink it, 66Your will be done.” 43Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “67Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, 68the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest

4769While He was still speaking, behold, 70Judas, one of the twelve, came up 71accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” 49Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, 72Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50And Jesus said to him, “73Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.

51And behold, 74one of those who were with Jesus 75reached and drew out his 76sword, and struck the 77slave of the high priest and 78cut off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for 79all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. 53Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve 8081legions of 82angels? 54How then will 83the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”

55At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? 84Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. 56But all this has taken place to fulfill 85the Scriptures of the prophets.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

Jesus before Caiaphas

5786Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to 87Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58But 88Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the 89courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the 9091officers to see the outcome.

59Now the chief priests and the whole 9293Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on 94two came forward, 61and said, “This man stated, ‘95I am able to destroy the 96temple of God and to rebuild it 97in three days.’” 62The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” 63But 98Jesus kept silent. 99And the high priest said to Him, “I 100101adjure You by 102the living God, that You tell us whether You are 103the Christ, 104the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him, “105You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, 106hereafter you will see 107the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and 108coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65Then the high priest 109tore his 110robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66what do you think?” They answered, “111He deserves death!”

67112Then they 113spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others 114slapped Him, 68and said, “115Prophesy to us, You 116Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

Peter’s Denials

69117Now Peter was sitting outside in the 118courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; 119for even the way you talk 120gives you away.” 74Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. 75And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “121Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.