Matthew 26

The Plot to Kill Jesus

1 # Mt 7.28; 11.1; 13.53; 19.1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2#Jn 13.1“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

3 # Ps 2.2; Jn 11.47–53 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4#Mt 12.14and they conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5#Mt 27.24But they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany

6 # Mt 21.17 Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,#26.6 Or the skin-diseased 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. 11#Deut 15.11For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12#Jn 19.40By 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 15#Ex 21.32; Zech 11.12and 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?” 18#Jn 7.6, 8; 12.23; 13.1; 17.1He 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.’ ” 19#Deut 16.5–8So 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 disciples,#26.20 Other ancient authorities lack 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?” 23#Ps 41.9; Isa 53; Dan 9.26; Lk 22.21; Jn 13.18; Acts 17.2, 3; 1 Cor 15.3He 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

26 # 1 Cor 10.16; 11.23–25 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it#26.26 Other ancient authorities read after giving thanks 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, 28#Ex 24.6–8; Mt 20.28; Mk 1.4; Heb 9.20for 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. 29#Acts 10.41I 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.”

30 # Mk 14.26 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Peter’s Denial Foretold

31 # Zech 13.7; Mt 11.6; Jn 16.32 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away#26.31 Or stumble because of me this night, for it is written,

‘I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 # Mt 28.7, 10, 16 “But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33Peter said to him, “Even if all fall away#26.33 Or stumble because of you, I will never fall away.”#26.33 Or stumble 34#Jn 13.37Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 35#Jn 13.37Peter 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.” 37#Mt 4.21He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be grieved and agitated. 38#Jn 12.27Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39#Mt 20.22; Jn 6.38; 12.27; Phil 2.8And 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.” 40#v 38Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41#Mt 6.13; Lk 11.4Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial;#26.41 Or into testing the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42#Jn 4.34; 5.30; 6.38Again 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. 45#v 18; Jn 12.23, 27; 13.1; 17.1Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Now the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Get up, let us be going. Look, 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.” 49#v 25At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50#Mt 20.13; 22.12Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.”#26.50 Or Why are you here? 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. 52#Gen 9.6; Rev 13.10Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will die by the sword. 53#2 Kings 6.17; Dan 7.10Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54#v 24; Lk 24.25, 44, 46But 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 rebel? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56#v 54But 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, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58#Jn 18.15But 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, 60#Deut 19.15; Ps 27.12; 35.11; Acts 6.13but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61#Mt 27.40and 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?” 63#Lev 5.1; Isa 53.7; Mt 27.12, 14; Jn 18.33But 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.” 64#Ps 110.1; Dan 7.13; Mt 16.27, 28Jesus 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.”

65 # Num 14.6; Acts 14.14 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66#Lev 24.16; Jn 19.7What do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67#Isa 53.3; Mt 27.30; Jn 19.3Then 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 female servant 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 female servant saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.”#26.71 Gk 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. 75#v 34; Jn 13.38Then 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: NRSVUE

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