Matthew 26:26-75

261While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and 23after 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 4this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for 5many 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.”

306After singing a hymn, they went out to 7the Mount of Olives.

31Then Jesus said to them, “You will all 89fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘10I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be 11scattered.’ 32But after I have been raised, 12I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may 13fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” 34Jesus said to him, “14Truly I say to you that 15this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35Peter said to Him, “16Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.

3617Then Jesus came with them to a place called 18Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37And He took with Him 19Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38Then He said to them, “20My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and 21keep 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 22this cup pass from Me; 23yet 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 24keep watch with Me for one hour? 4125Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; 26the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this 27cannot pass away unless I drink it, 28Your 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, “29Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, 30the 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!”

4731While He was still speaking, behold, 32Judas, one of the twelve, came up 33accompanied 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, 34Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50And Jesus said to him, “35Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.

51And behold, 36one of those who were with Jesus 37reached and drew out his 38sword, and struck the 39slave of the high priest and 40cut off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for 41all 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 4243legions of 44angels? 54How then will 45the 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? 46Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. 56But all this has taken place to fulfill 47the Scriptures of the prophets.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

5748Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to 49Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58But 50Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the 51courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the 5253officers to see the outcome.

59Now the chief priests and the whole 5455Council 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 56two came forward, 61and said, “This man stated, ‘57I am able to destroy the 58temple of God and to rebuild it 59in 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 60Jesus kept silent. 61And the high priest said to Him, “I 6263adjure You by 64the living God, that You tell us whether You are 65the Christ, 66the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him, “67You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, 68hereafter you will see 69the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and 70coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65Then the high priest 71tore his 72robes 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, “73He deserves death!”

6774Then they 75spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others 76slapped Him, 68and said, “77Prophesy to us, You 78Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

6979Now Peter was sitting outside in the 80courtyard, 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; 81for even the way you talk 82gives 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, “83Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.