Matthew 26
26
The Plot to Kill Jesus
1When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2#For ver. 2-5, see Mark 14:1, 2; Luke 22:1, 2 “You know that after two days #See John 6:4 the Passover is coming, and #ver. 24 the Son of Man #See ch. 20:18, 19will be delivered up to be crucified.”
3 # [Ps. 2:2; John 11:47; Acts 4:27] Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in #ver. 58, 69; Luke 11:21; John 18:15; [Rev. 11:2] the palace of the high priest, whose name was #ver. 57; Luke 3:2; John 11:49; 18:13; Acts 4:6Caiaphas, 4#John 11:53; See ch. 21:46and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5But they said, “Not during the feast, #ch. 27:24lest there be an uproar among the people.”
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
6 # For ver. 6-13, see Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8; [Luke 7:37-39] Now when Jesus was at #ch. 21:17; John 11:18Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,#26:6 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 7a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9For this could have been sold for a large sum and #[John 13:29]given to the poor.” 10But #ch. 16:8Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11For #Deut. 15:11 you always have the poor with you, but #ch. 9:15; See John 7:33you will not always have me. 12In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it #John 19:40to prepare me for burial. 13Truly, I say to you, wherever #[ch. 24:14] this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told #Acts 10:4in memory of her.”
Judas to Betray Jesus
14 # For ver. 14-16, see Mark 14:10, 11; Luke 22:3-6; [John 13:2, 27, 30] Then one of the twelve, whose name was #ch. 10:4; 27:3; Acts 1:16; [John 6:71; 12:4]Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they #Zech. 11:12; [Gen. 23:16; Jer. 32:9] paid him #ch. 27:3, 9; Ex. 21:32thirty pieces of silver. 16And from that moment he sought an opportunity #See ch. 20:18, 19to betray him.
The Passover with the Disciples
17 # For ver. 17-19, see Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13 Now on #Ex. 12:18the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, #See John 11:28 ‘The Teacher says, #[ver. 45; John 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20; 13:1; 17:1]My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 # For ver. 20-24, see Mark 14:17-21; [Luke 22:14, 21-23; John 13:21-26] When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.#26:20 Some manuscripts add disciples 21And as they were eating, #[John 6:70, 71]he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23He answered, #[John 13:18]“He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24The Son of Man goes #ver. 54, 56; Mark 9:12; Luke 18:31; 24:25-27, 46; Acts 17:2, 3; 26:22, 23; 1 Cor. 15:3; 1 Pet. 1:10, 11 as it is written of him, but #ch. 18:7 woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! #John 17:12It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, #ver. 49; See John 1:38 Rabbi?” He said to him, #ver. 64; See Luke 22:70“You have said so.”
Institution of the Lord’s Supper
26 # For ver. 26-29, see Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:18-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-25 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and #See ch. 14:19 after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; #1 Cor. 10:16; [John 6:53]this is my body.” 27And he took a cup, and when he #See ch. 15:36had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28for #[See ver. 26 above] this is my #Ex. 24:8; [Zech. 9:11; Heb. 13:20] blood of the#26:28 Some manuscripts insert new covenant, which is poured out for #See ch. 20:28 many #Mark 1:4; [Luke 1:77]for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you #[ch. 13:43]in my Father’s kingdom.”
Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
30 # For ver. 30-35, see Mark 14:26-31 And when they had sung a hymn, #Luke 22:39; John 18:1 they went out to #See ch. 21:1the Mount of Olives. 31Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will #Cited from Zech. 13:7; [John 16:32]strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32But after I am raised up, #ch. 28:7, 10, 16; Mark 16:7I will go before you to Galilee.” 33#[Luke 22:31, 33]Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34#Luke 22:34; John 13:38 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, #ver. 75before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35#Luke 22:33; John 13:37Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 # For ver. 36-46, see Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46 Then Jesus went with them #[See ver. 30 above]to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37And taking with him #ch. 17:1 Peter and #ch. 4:21the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, #[Ps. 42:5, 6; John 12:27] “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and #See ch. 24:42watch#26:38 Or keep awake; also verses 40, 41 with me.” 39And going a little farther he fell on his face #Heb. 5:7 and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let #See ch. 20:22 this cup pass from me; #ver. 42; John 5:30; 6:38; Phil. 2:8nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41#[See ver. 38 above] Watch and #1 Pet. 4:7 pray that you #ch. 6:13may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, #ver. 39; See ch. 6:10your will be done.” 43And again he came and found them sleeping, for #Luke 9:32their eyes were heavy. 44So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for #[2 Cor. 12:8]the third time, saying the same words again. 45Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.#26:45 Or Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, #John 12:23, 27; 13:1; 17:1; [ver. 18; Luke 22:53] the hour is at hand, and #ch. 17:22; 20:18the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 # For ver. 47-56, see Mark 14:43-50; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:3-11 While he was still speaking, #ver. 14; Acts 1:16Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great 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; seize him.” 49And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, #ver. 25Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50Jesus said to him, #ch. 20:13; 22:12 “Friend, #[John 13:27]do what you came to do.”#26:50 Or Friend, why are you here? Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his #[Luke 22:38]sword and struck the servant#26:51 Or bondservant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For #Rev. 13:10; [Gen. 9:6; Ezek. 35:6]all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53#[John 10:18] Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me #[ch. 4:11; 2 Kgs. 6:17; Dan. 7:10; Luke 22:43; John 18:36] more than twelve #Luke 8:30legions of angels? 54#See ver. 24; ch. 1:22But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day #[John 8:2]; [Luke 2:46; John 18:20] I sat in the temple #ch. 21:23; [ch. 4:23]teaching, and you did not seize me. 56But #[See ver. 54] all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” #ver. 31; [Ps. 88:8, 18; John 16:32]Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council
57 #
Luke 22:54 Then #For ver. 57-68, see Mark 14:53-65; [John 18:12, 13, 19-24] those who had seized Jesus led him to #ver. 3Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58And #[John 18:15] Peter was following him at a distance, as far as #[See ver. 57 above] the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with #John 7:32; 18:3the guards to see the end. 59Now the chief priests and the whole council#26:59 Greek Sanhedrin #See Acts 6:11were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60but they found none, #Ps. 27:12; 35:11 though many false witnesses came forward. At last #Deut. 19:15two came forward 61and said, “This man said, #[Acts 6:14]; See John 2:19 ‘I am able to #ch. 27:40destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”#26:62 Or Have you no answer to what these men testify against you? 63#ch. 27:12, 14; Isa. 53:7; John 19:9 But Jesus remained silent. #For ver. 63-66, [Luke 22:67-71] And the high priest said to him, #[Lev. 5:1; 1 Sam. 14:24, 26; Mark 5:7] “I adjure you by #See ch. 16:16 the living God, #John 10:24 tell us if you are #[ch. 22:42-45]; See ch. 1:17 the Christ, #See ch. 14:33the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him, #ver. 25 “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on #See ch. 16:27; 24:30 you will see the Son of Man #Ps. 110:1; Heb. 1:3; [Mark 16:19]seated at the right hand of Power and #See ch. 16:27; 24:30 coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65Then the high priest #Num. 14:6; Acts 14:14 tore his robes and said, #ch. 9:3; John 10:36“He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66What is your judgment?” They answered, #See Lev. 24:16“He deserves death.” 67Then #ch. 27:30; Isa. 50:6; Mark 10:34 they spit in his face #[Luke 22:63-65; John 18:22] and #ch. 5:39; Acts 23:2struck him. And some slapped him, 68saying, “Prophesy to us, you #ver. 63Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
Peter Denies Jesus
69 # For ver. 69-75, see Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:55-62; John 18:16-18, 25-27 Now Peter was sitting outside #ver. 3in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus #ch. 2:23of Nazareth.” 72And again 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 too are one of them, for #[Judg. 12:6]your accent betrays you.” 74Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, #ver. 34 “Before the rooster crows, you will #[Acts 3:13, 14]deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
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Matthew 26: ESV
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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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Matthew 26
26
1And it came to pass when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2Ye know that after two days the passover takes place, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified. 3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together to the palace of the high priest who was called Caiaphas, 4and took counsel together in order that they might seize Jesus by subtlety and kill him; 5but they said, Not in the feast, that there be not a tumult among the people.
6But Jesus being in Bethany, in Simon the leper's house, 7a woman, having an alabaster flask of very precious ointment, came to him and poured it out upon his head as he lay at table. 8But the disciples seeing it became indignant, saying, To what end was this waste? 9for this might have been sold for much and been given to the poor. 10But Jesus knowing it said to them, Why do ye trouble the woman? for she has wrought a good work toward me. 11For ye have the poor always with you, but me ye have not always. 12For in pouring out this ointment on my body, she has done it for my burying. 13Verily I say to you, Wheresoever these glad tidings may be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman has done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
14Then one of the twelve, he who was called Judas Iscariote, went to the chief priests 15and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him up to you? And they appointed to him thirty pieces of silver. 16And from that time he sought a good opportunity that he might deliver him up.
17Now on the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18And he said, Go into the city unto such a one, and say to him, The Teacher says, My time is near, I will keep the passover in thy house with my disciples. 19And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the passover. 20And when the evening was come he lay down at table with the twelve. 21And as they were eating he said, Verily I say to you, that one of you shall deliver me up. 22And being exceedingly grieved they began to say to him, each of them, Is it I, Lord? 23But he answering said, He that dips his hand with me in the dish, he it is who shall deliver me up. 24The Son of man goes indeed, according as it is written concerning him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is delivered up; it were good for that man if he had not been born. 25And Judas, who delivered him up, answering said, Is it I, Rabbi? He says to him, Thou hast said.
26And as they were eating, Jesus, having taken the bread and blessed, broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 27And having taken the cup and given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it. 28For this is my blood, that of the new covenant, that shed for many for remission of sins. 29But I say to you, that I will not at all drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father. 30And having sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.
31Then saith Jesus to them, All ye shall be offended in me during this night. For it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32But after that I shall be risen, I will go before you to Galilee. 33And Peter answering said to him, If all shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended. 34Jesus said to him, Verily I say to thee, that during this night, before the cock shall crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35Peter says to him, If I should needs die with thee, I will in no wise deny thee. Likewise said all the disciples also.
36Then Jesus comes with them to a place called Gethsemane, and says to the disciples, Sit here until I go away and pray yonder. 37And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and deeply depressed. 38Then he says to them, My soul is very sorrowful even unto death; remain here and watch with me. 39And going forward a little he fell upon his face, praying and saying, My Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me; but not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40And he comes to the disciples and finds them sleeping, and says to Peter, Thus ye have not been able to watch one hour with me? 41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is ready, but the flesh weak. 42Again going away a second time he prayed saying, My Father, if this cannot pass from me unless I drink it, thy will be done. 43And coming he found them again sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44And leaving them, he went away again and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45Then he comes to the disciples and says to them, Sleep on now and take your rest; behold, the hour has drawn nigh, and the Son of man is delivered up into the hands of sinners. 46Arise, let us go; behold, he that delivers me up has drawn nigh.
47And while he was yet speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great crowd with swords and sticks from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48Now he that delivered him up had given them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, he it is: seize him. 49And immediately coming up to Jesus he said, Hail, Rabbi, and covered him with kisses. 50But Jesus said to him, My friend, for what purpose art thou come? Then coming up they laid hands upon Jesus and seized him. 51And behold, one of those with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and smiting the bondman of the high priest took off his ear. 52Then saith Jesus to him, Return thy sword to its place; for all who take the sword shall perish by the sword. 53Or thinkest thou that I cannot now call upon my Father, and he will furnish me more than twelve legions of angels? 54How then should the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be? 55In that hour Jesus said to the crowds, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and sticks to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye did not seize me. 56But all this is come to pass that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him and fled.
57Now they that had seized Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58And Peter followed him at a distance, even to the palace of the high priest, and entering in sat with the officers to see the end. 59And the chief priests and the elders and the whole sanhedrim sought false witness against Jesus, so that they might put him to death. 60And they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. But at the last two false witnesses came forward 61and said, He said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and in three days build it. 62And the high priest standing up said to him, Answerest thou nothing? What do these witness against thee? 63But Jesus was silent. And the high priest answering said to him, I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us if thou art the Christ the Son of God. 64Jesus says to him, Thou hast said. Moreover, I say to you, From henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. 65Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He has blasphemed: what need have we any more of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard the blasphemy. 66What think ye? And they answering said, He is liable to the penalty of death. 67Then they spit in his face, and buffeted him, and some struck him with the palms of their hand, 68saying, Prophesy to us, Christ, Who is it who struck thee?
69But Peter sat without in the palace-court; and a maid came to him, saying, And thou wast with Jesus the Galilaean. 70But he denied before all, saying, I do not know what thou sayest. 71And when he had gone out into the entrance, another maid saw him, and says to those there, This man also was with Jesus the Nazaraean. 72And again he denied with an oath: I do not know the man. 73And after a little, those who stood there, coming to him, said to Peter, Truly thou too art of them, for also thy speech makes thee manifest. 74Then he began to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who had said to him, Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went forth without, and wept bitterly.
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First published in 1890. This edition is maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.