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Matthew 26

English Standard Version



1 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” (Mt 20:18; Mt 26:24; Mr 14:1; Lu 22:1; Joh 6:4) 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, (Ps 2:2; Mt 26:57; Mt 26:58; Mt 26:69; Lu 3:2; Lu 11:21; Joh 11:47; Joh 11:49; Joh 18:13; Joh 18:15; Ac 4:6; Ac 4:27; Re 11:2) 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. (Mt 21:46; Joh 11:53) 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.” (Mt 27:24) 



6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,[1] (Mt 21:17; Mr 14:3; Lu 7:37; Joh 11:18; Joh 12:1) 7 a 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. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” (Joh 13:29) 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. (Mt 16:8) 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. (De 15:11; Mt 9:15; Joh 7:33) 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. (Joh 19:40) 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” (Mt 24:14; Ac 10:4) 



14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests (Mt 10:4; Mt 27:3; Mr 14:10; Lu 22:3; Joh 6:71; Joh 12:4; Joh 13:2; Joh 13:27; Joh 13:30; Ac 1:16) 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. (Ge 23:16; Ex 21:32; Jer 32:9; Zec 11:12; Mt 27:3; Mt 27:9) 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. (Mt 20:18) 



17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” (Ex 12:18; Mr 14:12; Lu 22:7) 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” (Mt 26:45; Joh 7:6; Joh 7:8; Joh 7:30; Joh 8:20; Joh 11:28; Joh 13:1; Joh 17:1) 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. 20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.[2] (Mr 14:17; Lu 22:14; Lu 22:21; Joh 13:21) 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (Joh 6:70) 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. (Joh 13:18) 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” (Mt 18:7; Mt 26:54; Mt 26:56; Mr 9:12; Lu 18:31; Lu 24:25; Lu 24:46; Joh 17:12; Ac 17:2; Ac 26:22; 1Co 15:3; 1Pe 1:10) 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.” (Mt 26:49; Mt 26:64; Lu 22:70; Joh 1:38) 



26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” (Mt 14:19; Mr 14:22; Lu 22:18; Joh 6:53; 1Co 10:16; 1Co 11:23) 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, (Mt 15:36) 28 for this is my blood of the[3] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Ex 24:8; Zec 9:11; Mt 20:28; Mt 26:26; Mr 1:4; Lu 1:77; Heb 13:20) 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Mt 13:43) 



30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mt 21:1; Mr 14:26; Lu 22:39; Joh 18:1) 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ (Zec 13:7; Joh 16:32) 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” (Mt 28:7; Mt 28:10; Mt 28:16; Mr 16:7) 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” (Lu 22:31; Lu 22:33) 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” (Mt 26:75; Lu 22:34; Joh 13:38) 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. (Lu 22:33; Joh 13:37) 



36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” (Mt 26:30; Mr 14:32; Lu 22:40) 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. (Mt 4:21; Mt 17:1) 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch[4] with me.” (Ps 42:5; Mt 24:42; Joh 12:27) 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Mt 20:22; Mt 26:42; Joh 5:30; Joh 6:38; Php 2:8; Heb 5:7) 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mt 6:13; Mt 26:38; 1Pe 4:7) 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Mt 6:10; Mt 26:39) 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. (Lu 9:32) 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. (2Co 12:8) 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.[5] See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (Mt 17:22; Mt 20:18; Mt 26:18; Lu 22:53; Joh 12:23; Joh 12:27; Joh 13:1; Joh 17:1) 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” 



47 While he was still speaking, Judas 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. (Mt 26:14; Mr 14:43; Lu 22:47; Joh 18:3; Ac 1:16) 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. (Mt 26:25) 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.”[6] Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. (Mt 20:13; Mt 22:12; Joh 13:27) 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant[7] of the high priest and cut off his ear. (Lu 22:38) 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (Ge 9:6; Eze 35:6; Re 13:10) 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? (2Ki 6:17; Da 7:10; Mt 4:11; Lu 8:30; Lu 22:43; Joh 10:18; Joh 18:36) 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” (Mt 1:22; Mt 26:24) 55 At 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 I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. (Mt 4:23; Mt 21:23; Lu 2:46; Joh 8:2; Joh 18:20) 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. (Ps 88:8; Ps 88:18; Mt 26:31; Mt 26:54; Joh 16:32) 



57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. (Mt 26:3; Mr 14:53; Lu 22:54; Joh 18:12; Joh 18:19) 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. (Mt 26:57; Joh 7:32; Joh 18:3; Joh 18:15) 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council[8] were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, (Ac 6:11) 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward (De 19:15; Ps 27:12; Ps 35:11) 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” (Mt 27:40; Joh 2:19; Ac 6:14) 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”[9] 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” (Le 5:1; 1Sa 14:24; 1Sa 14:26; Isa 53:7; Mt 1:17; Mt 14:33; Mt 16:16; Mt 22:42; Mt 27:12; Mt 27:14; Mr 5:7; Lu 22:67; Joh 10:24; Joh 19:9) 64 Jesus 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.” (Ps 110:1; Mt 16:27; Mt 24:30; Mt 26:25; Mr 16:19; Heb 1:3) 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. (Nu 14:6; Mt 9:3; Joh 10:36; Ac 14:14) 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” (Le 24:16) 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, (Isa 50:6; Mt 5:39; Mt 27:30; Mr 10:34; Lu 22:63; Joh 18:22; Ac 23:2) 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” (Mt 26:63) 



69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” (Mt 26:3; Mr 14:66; Lu 22:55; Joh 18:16; Joh 18:25) 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” (Mt 2:23) 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” (Jud 12:6) 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Mt 26:34; Ac 3:13) 

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The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Matthew 26

New International Version



1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 ‘As you know, the Passover is two days away – and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.’ 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 ‘But not during the festival,’ they said, ‘or there may be a riot among the people.’ 



6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. ‘Why this waste?’ they asked. 9 ‘This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.’ 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you,[1] but you will not always have me. (De 15:11) 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’ 



14 Then one of the Twelve – the one called Judas Iscariot – went to the chief priests 15 and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. 



17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ 18 He replied, ‘Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, “The Teacher says: my appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.” ’ 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?’ 23 Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’ 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?’ Jesus answered, ‘You have said so.’ 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[2] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’ 30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 



31 Then Jesus told them, ‘This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ‘ “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” (Zec 13:7) 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’ 33 Peter replied, ‘Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.’ 34 ‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘this very night, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times.’ 35 But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same. 



36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter. 41 ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ 42 He went away a second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.’ 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!’ 



47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, ‘Do what you came for, friend.’[3] Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 ‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him, ‘for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?’ 55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. 



57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, ‘This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.” ’ 62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ 64 ‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied. ‘But I say to all of you: from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’[4] (Ps 110:1; Da 7:13) 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?’ ‘He is worthy of death,’ they answered. 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, ‘Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?’ 



69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him. ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee,’ she said. 70 But he denied it before them all. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he said. 71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant-girl saw him and said to the people there, ‘This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ 72 He denied it again, with an oath: ‘I don’t know the man!’ 73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, ‘Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.’ 74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know the man!’ Immediately a cock crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the cock crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly. 

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Matthew 26

King James Version

1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. 5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people. 6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. 14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. 17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. 36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. 47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? 55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. 57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. 67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, 68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? 69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. 

King James Bible (1769). Public Domain.
Please note the following exceptions for use and publication in the United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press

Matthew 26

New International Reader’s Version



1 Jesus finished saying all these things. Then he said to his disciples, 2 ‘As you know, the Passover Feast is two days away. The Son of Man will be handed over to be nailed to a cross.’ 3 Then the chief priests met with the elders of the people. They met in the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest. 4 They made plans to arrest Jesus secretly. They wanted to kill him. 5 ‘But not during the feast,’ they said. ‘The people may stir up trouble.’ 



6 Jesus was in Bethany. He was in the home of Simon, who had a skin disease. 7 A woman came to Jesus with a special sealed jar of very expensive perfume. She poured the perfume on his head while he was at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they became angry. ‘Why this waste?’ they asked. 9 ‘The perfume could have been sold at a high price. The money could have been given to poor people.’ 10 Jesus was aware of this. So he said to them, ‘Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 You will always have poor people with you. But you will not always have me. 12 She poured the perfume on my body to prepare me to be buried. 13 What I’m about to tell you is true. What she has done will be told anywhere this good news is preached all over the world. It will be told in memory of her.’ 



14 One of the 12 disciples went to the chief priests. His name was Judas Iscariot. 15 He asked, ‘What will you give me if I hand Jesus over to you?’ So they counted out 30 silver coins for him. 16 From then on, Judas watched for the right time to hand Jesus over to them. 



17 It was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The disciples came to Jesus. They asked, ‘Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?’ 18 He replied, ‘Go into the city to a certain man. Tell him, “The Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover at your house with my disciples.’ ” ’ 19 So the disciples did what Jesus had told them to do. They prepared the Passover meal. 20 When evening came, Jesus was at the table with his 12 disciples. 21 While they were eating, he said, ‘What I’m about to tell you is true. One of you will hand me over to my enemies.’ 22 The disciples became very sad. One after the other, they began to say to him, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Lord, do you?’ 23 Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will hand me over. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But how terrible it will be for the one who hands over the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’ 25 Judas was the one who was going to hand him over. He said, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Teacher, do you?’ Jesus answered, ‘You have said so.’ 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread. He gave thanks and broke it. He handed it to his disciples and said, ‘Take this and eat it. This is my body.’ 27 Then he took a cup. He gave thanks and handed it to them. He said, ‘All of you drink from it. 28 This is my blood of the covenant. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many people. 29 Here is what I tell you. From now on, I won’t drink wine with you again until the day I drink it with you in my Father’s kingdom.’ 30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. 



31 Jesus told them, ‘This very night you will all turn away because of me. It is written that the Lord said, ‘ “I will strike the shepherd down. Then the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” (Zec 13:7) 32 But after I rise from the dead, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.’ 33 Peter replied, ‘All the others may turn away because of you. But I never will.’ 34 ‘What I’m about to tell you is true,’ Jesus answered. ‘It will happen tonight. Before the cockerel crows, you will say three times that you don’t know me.’ 35 But Peter said, ‘I may have to die with you. But I will never say I don’t know you.’ And all the other disciples said the same thing. 



36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him. He began to be sad and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sad. I feel close to death. Stay here. Keep watch with me.’ 39 He went a little further. Then he fell with his face to the ground. He prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. But let what you want be done, not what I want.’ 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter. 41 ‘Watch and pray. Then you won’t fall into sin when you are tempted. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.’ 42 Jesus went away a second time. He prayed, ‘My Father, is it possible for this cup to be taken away? But if I must drink it, may what you want be done.’ 43 Then he came back. Again he found them sleeping. They couldn’t keep their eyes open. 44 So he left them and went away once more. For the third time he prayed the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples. He said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Look! The hour has come. The Son of Man is about to be handed over to sinners. 46 Get up! Let us go! Here comes the one who is handing me over to them!’ 



47 While Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived. He was one of the 12 disciples. A large crowd was with him. They were carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests and the elders of the people had sent them. 48 Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, had arranged a signal with them. ‘The one I kiss is the man,’ he said. ‘Arrest him.’ 49 So Judas went to Jesus at once. He said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ And he kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, ‘Friend, do what you came to do.’ Then the men stepped forward. They grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51 At that moment, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword. He pulled it out and struck the slave of the high priest with it. He cut off the slave’s ear. 52 ‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him. ‘All who use the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I can’t ask my Father for help? He would send an army of more than 70,000 angels right away. 54 But then how would the Scriptures come true? They say it must happen in this way.’ 55 At that time Jesus spoke to the crowd. ‘Am I leading a band of armed men against you?’ he asked. ‘Do you have to come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courtyard teaching. And you didn’t arrest me. 56 But all this has happened so that the words of the prophets would come true.’ Then all the disciples left him and ran away. 



57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest. The teachers of the law and the elders had come together there. 58 Not too far away, Peter followed Jesus. He went right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see what would happen. 59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for something to use against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death. 60 But they did not find any proof, even though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two other witnesses came forward. 61 They said, ‘This fellow claimed, “I am able to destroy the temple of God. I can build it again in three days.” ’ 62 Then the high priest stood up. He asked Jesus, ‘Aren’t you going to answer? What are these charges that these men are bringing against you?’ 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I am commanding you in the name of the living God. May he judge you if you don’t tell the truth. Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’ 64 ‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied. ‘But here is what I say to all of you. From now on, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. You will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.’ 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes. He said, ‘He has spoken a very evil thing against God! Why do we need any more witnesses? You have heard him say this evil thing. 66 What do you think?’ ‘He must die!’ they answered. 67 Then they spat in his face. They hit him with their fists. Others slapped him. 68 They said, ‘Prophesy to us, Messiah! Who hit you?’ 



69 Peter was sitting out in the courtyard. A female servant came to him. ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee,’ she said. 70 But in front of all of them, Peter said he was not. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he said. 71 Then he went out to the gate leading into the courtyard. There another servant saw him. She said to the people, ‘This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ 72 Again he said he was not. With a curse he said, ‘I don’t know the man!’ 73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter. ‘You must be one of them,’ they said. ‘The way you talk gives you away.’ 74 Then Peter began to curse and said to them, ‘I don’t know the man!’ Right away a cockerel crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said. ‘The cockerel will crow,’ Jesus had told him. ‘Before it does, you will say three times that you don’t know me.’ Peter went outside. He broke down and cried. 

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