Matthew 26
26
The Plot to Kill Jesus
1When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4and they conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5But they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.”
The Anointing at Bethany
6Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,#26.6 The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases 7a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. 8But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, “Why this waste? 9For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.” 10But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. 11For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. 13Truly I tell you, wherever this good news#26.13 Or gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
The Passover with the Disciples
17On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ” 19So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.
20When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve;#26.20 Other ancient authorities add disciples 21and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.” 25Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”
The Institution of the Lord's Supper
26While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28for this is my blood of the#26.28 Other ancient authorities add new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”
30When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Peter's Denial Foretold
31Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,
‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” 34Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 35Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” 40Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial;#26.41 Or into temptation the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. 45Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. 51Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” 55At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Jesus before the High Priest
57Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. 59Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, 60but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” 62The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” 63But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah,#26.63 Or Christ the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you,
From now on you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of Power
and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, 68saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah!#26.68 Or Christ Who is it that struck you?”
Peter's Denial of Jesus
69Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”#26.71 Gk the Nazorean 72Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. 75Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
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Matthew 26: NRSV-CI
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New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Matthew 26
26
Plot to kill Jesus
1When Jesus finished speaking all these words, he said to his disciples, 2“You know that the Passover is two days from now. And the Human One#26.2 Or Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
3Then the chief priests and elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of Caiaphas the high priest. 4They were plotting to arrest Jesus by cunning tricks and to kill him. 5But they agreed that it shouldn’t happen during the feast so there wouldn’t be an uproar among the people.
A woman pouring perfume on Jesus
6When Jesus was at Bethany visiting the house of Simon, who had a skin disease, 7a woman came to him with a vase made of alabaster containing very expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus’ head while he was sitting at dinner. 8Now when the disciples saw it they were angry and said, “Why this waste? 9This perfume could have been sold for a lot of money and given to the poor.”
10But Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said, “Why do you make trouble for the woman? She’s done a good thing for me. 11You always have the poor with you, but you won’t always have me. 12By pouring this perfume over my body she’s prepared me to be buried. 13I tell you the truth that wherever in the whole world this good news is announced, what she’s done will also be told in memory of her.”
Judas betrays Jesus
14Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What will you give me if I turn Jesus over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16From that time on he was looking for an opportunity to turn him in.
Passover with the disciples
17On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?”
18He replied, “Go into the city, to a certain man, and say, ‘The teacher says,“My time is near. I’m going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.”’” 19The disciples did just as Jesus instructed them. They prepared the Passover.
20That evening he took his place at the table with the twelve disciples. 21As they were eating he said, “I assure you that one of you will betray me.”
22Deeply saddened, each one said to him, “I’m not the one, am I, Lord?”
23He replied, “The one who will betray me is the one who dips his hand with me into this bowl. 24The Human One#26.24 Or Son of Man goes to his death just as it is written about him. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays the Human One!#26.24 Or Son of Man It would have been better for him if he had never been born.”
25Now Judas, who would betray him, replied, “It’s not me, is it, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You said it.”
Last supper
26While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take and eat. This is my body.” 27He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from this, all of you. 28This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many so that their sins may be forgiven. 29I tell you, I won’t drink wine again until that day when I drink it in a new way with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30Then, after singing songs of praise, they went to the Mount of Olives.
Predictions about disciples leaving Jesus
31Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Tonight you will all fall away because of me. This is because it is written, I will hit the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will go off in all directions.#26.31 Zech 13:7 32But after I’m raised up, I’ll go before you to Galilee.”
33Peter replied, “If everyone else stumbles because of you, I’ll never stumble.”
34Jesus said to him, “I assure you that, before the rooster crows tonight, you will deny me three times.”
35Peter said, “Even if I must die alongside you, I won’t deny you.” All the disciples said the same thing.
Jesus in prayer
36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to the disciples, “Stay here while I go and pray over there.” 37When he took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, he began to feel sad and anxious. 38Then he said to them, “I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying. Stay here and keep alert with me.” 39Then he went a short distance farther and fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it’s possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want.”
40He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you stay alert one hour with me? 41Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak.” 42A second time he went away and prayed, “My Father, if it’s not possible that this cup be taken away unless I drink it, then let it be what you want.”
43Again he came and found them sleeping. Their eyes were heavy with sleep. 44But he left them and again went and prayed the same words for the third time. 45Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Will you sleep and rest all night? Look, the time has come for the Human One#26.45 Or Son of Man to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Get up. Let’s go. Look, here comes my betrayer.”
Arrest
47While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came. With him was a large crowd carrying swords and clubs. They had been sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. 48His betrayer had given them a sign: “Arrest the man I kiss.” 49Just then he came to Jesus and said, “Hello, Rabbi.” Then he kissed him.
50But Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
51One of those with Jesus reached for his sword. Striking the high priest’s slave, he cut off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put the sword back into its place. All those who use the sword will die by the sword. 53Or do you think that I’m not able to ask my Father and he will send to me more than twelve battle groups#26.53 Or legions (of the Roman army, about five thousand soldiers each) of angels right away? 54But if I did that, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this must happen?” 55Then Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, like a thief? Day after day, I sat in the temple teaching, but you didn’t arrest me. 56But all this has happened so that what the prophets said in the scriptures might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Jesus and ran away.
Jesus before the council
57Those who arrested Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest. The legal experts and the elders had gathered there. 58Peter followed him from a distance until he came to the high priest’s courtyard. He entered that area and sat outside with the officers to see how it would turn out.
59The chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60They didn’t find anything they could use from the many false witnesses who were willing to come forward. But finally they found two 61who said, “This man said, ‘I can destroy God’s temple and rebuild it in three days.’”
62Then the high priest stood and said to Jesus, “Aren’t you going to respond to the testimony these people have brought against you?”
63But Jesus was silent.
The high priest said, “By the living God, I demand that you tell us whether you are the Christ, God’s Son.”
64“You said it,” Jesus replied. “But I say to you that from now on you’ll see the Human One#26.64 Or Son of Man sitting on the right side of the Almighty#26.64 Or the Power and coming on the heavenly clouds.”#26.64 Dan 7:13
65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He’s insulting God! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, you’ve heard his insult against God. 66What do you think?”
And they answered, “He deserves to die!” 67Then they spit in his face and beat him. They hit him 68and said, “Prophesy for us, Christ! Who hit you?”
Peter’s denial
69Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant woman came and said to him, “You were also with Jesus the Galilean.”
70But he denied it in front of all of them, saying, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
71When he went over to the gate, another woman saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.”
72With a solemn pledge, he denied it again, saying, “I don’t know the man.”
73A short time later those standing there came and said to Peter, “You must be one of them. The way you talk gives you away.”
74Then he cursed and swore, “I don’t know the man!” At that very moment the rooster crowed. 75Peter remembered Jesus’ words, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.”And Peter went out and cried uncontrollably.
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