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.”

35At that time the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in 6the courtyard of the high priest named 7Caiaphas; 4and they 8plotted together to arrest Jesus covertly 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 12the Leper, 713a 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. 8But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? 9For this perfume could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? For she has done a good deed for Me. 11For you always have 14the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it 15to prepare Me for burial. 13Truly I say to you, 16wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Judas’ Bargain

1417Then one of the twelve, named 18Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What are you willing to give me 19to 2021betray Him to you?” And 22they set out for him thirty 23pieces of silver. 16And from then on he looked for a good opportunity to 24betray 25Jesus.

1726Now on the first day of 2728Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and 29asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 18And He said, “Go into the city to 30a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “31My time is near; I am keeping the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’” 19The disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

The Last Passover

2032Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the 33twelve. 21And as they were eating, He said, “34Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” 22Being deeply grieved, they began saying to Him, each one: “Surely it is not I, Lord?” 23And He answered, “35He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. 24The Son of Man is going away 36just as it is written about Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! 37It would have been good 38for that man if he had not been born.” 25And 39Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, 40Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “41You have said it yourself.”

The Lord’s Supper Instituted

2642Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and 4344after 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 45this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for 46many 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 with you, new, in My Father’s kingdom.”

3047And after singing a 48hymn, they went out to 49the Mount of Olives.

31Then Jesus said to them, “You will all 5051fall away because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘52I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be 53scattered.’ 32But after I have been raised, 54I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33But Peter replied to Him, “Even if they all 55fall away because of You, I will never fall away!” 34Jesus said to him, “56Truly I say to you that 57this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35Peter said to Him, “58Even 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

3659Then Jesus came with them to a place called 6061Gethsemane, and told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37And He took 62Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38Then He said to them, “63My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and 64keep 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 65this cup pass from Me; 66yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “So, you men could not 67keep watch with Me for one hour? 4168Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; 69the spirit is 70willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup 71cannot pass away unless I drink from it, 72Your 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, “73Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, 74the hour 75is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!”

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest

4776And while He was still speaking, behold, 77Judas, one of the twelve, came 78accompanied 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 previously, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him.” 49And immediately Judas went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, 79Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50But Jesus said to him, “80Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him.

51And behold, 81one of those who were with Jesus 82reached and drew his 83sword, and struck the 84slave of the high priest and 85cut off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for 86all those who take up the sword will 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 8788legions of 89angels? 54How then would 90the 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 man inciting a revolt? 91Every day I used to sit within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me. 56But all this has taken place so that 92the Scriptures of the prophets will be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

Jesus before Caiaphas

5793Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to 94Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58But 95Peter was following Him at a distance, as far as the 96courtyard of the high priest, and he came inside and sat down with the 9798officers to see the outcome.

59Now the chief priests and the entire 99100Council 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 101two came forward, 61and said, “This man stated, ‘102I am able to destroy the 103temple of God and to rebuild it 104in three days.’” 62The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You offer no answer for what these men are testifying against You?” 63But 105Jesus kept silent. 106And the high priest said to Him, “I 107place You under oath by 108the living God, to tell us whether You are the 109Christ, 110the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him, “111You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see 112the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and 113coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65Then the high priest 114tore his 115robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66what do you think?” They answered, “116He deserves death!”

67117Then they 118spit in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others 119slapped Him, 68and said, “120Prophesy to us, You 121Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

Peter’s Denials

69122Now Peter was sitting outside in the 123courtyard, and a slave woman 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 slave woman 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, “You really are one of them as well, 124since even the way you talk 125gives you away.” 74Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the Man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. 75And Peter remembered the statement that Jesus had 126made: “127Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.