1Quando Gesù ebbe finito tutti questi discorsi, disse ai suoi discepoli:2«Voi sapete che fra due giorni è la Pasqua[1], e il Figlio dell’uomo sarà consegnato per essere crocifisso».3Allora i capi dei sacerdoti e gli anziani del popolo si riunirono nel palazzo del sommo sacerdote, che si chiamava Caiafa,4e deliberarono di prendere Gesù con inganno e di farlo morire.5Ma dicevano: «Non durante la festa, perché non accada qualche tumulto nel popolo».
Maria di Betania unge il capo a Gesù
6Mentre Gesù era a Betania, in casa di Simone il lebbroso,7venne a lui una donna che aveva un vaso di alabastro pieno d’olio profumato di gran valore e lo versò sul capo di lui che stava a tavola.8Veduto ciò, i discepoli si indignarono e dissero: «Perché questo spreco?9Questo, infatti, si sarebbe potuto vendere caro e dare il denaro ai poveri».10Ma Gesù se ne accorse e disse loro: «Perché date noia a questa donna? Ha fatto una buona azione verso di me.11Perché i poveri li avete sempre con voi, ma me non mi avete sempre.12Versando quest’olio sul mio corpo, lo ha fatto in vista della mia sepoltura.13In verità vi dico che in tutto il mondo, dovunque sarà predicato questo vangelo, anche ciò che ella ha fatto sarà raccontato in memoria di lei».
Giuda decide di tradire Gesù
14Allora uno dei dodici, che si chiamava Giuda Iscariota, andò dai capi dei sacerdoti15e disse: «Che cosa siete disposti a darmi, se io ve lo consegno?» Ed essi gli fissarono trenta sicli d’argento.16Da quell’ora cercava il momento opportuno per consegnarlo.
L’ultima Pasqua
17Il primo giorno degli Azzimi i discepoli si avvicinarono a Gesù e gli dissero: «Dove vuoi che ti prepariamo da mangiare la Pasqua?»18Egli disse: «Andate in città dal tale e ditegli: “Il Maestro dice: ‘Il mio tempo è vicino; farò la Pasqua da te, con i miei discepoli’”».19E i discepoli fecero come Gesù aveva loro ordinato e prepararono la Pasqua.20Quando fu sera, si mise a tavola con i dodici.21Mentre mangiavano, disse: «In verità vi dico: uno di voi mi tradirà».22Ed essi, profondamente rattristati, cominciarono a dirgli uno dopo l’altro: «Sono forse io, Signore?»23Ma egli rispose: «Colui che ha messo con me la mano nel piatto, quello mi tradirà.24Certo, il Figlio dell’uomo se ne va, come è scritto di lui; ma guai a quell’uomo dal quale il Figlio dell’uomo è tradito! Meglio sarebbe per quell’uomo se non fosse mai nato».25E Giuda, il traditore, prese a dire: «Sono forse io, Rabbì?» E Gesù a lui: «Lo hai detto».
La cena del Signore
26Mentre mangiavano, Gesù prese del pane e, dopo aver pronunciato la benedizione, lo spezzò e lo diede ai suoi discepoli dicendo: «Prendete, mangiate, questo è il mio corpo».27Poi prese un calice e, dopo aver reso grazie, lo diede loro dicendo: «Bevetene tutti,28perché questo è il mio sangue, il sangue del patto, il quale è sparso per molti per il perdono dei peccati.29Vi dico che da ora in poi non berrò più di questo frutto della vigna, fino al giorno che lo berrò nuovo con voi nel regno del Padre mio».
Gesù predice il rinnegamento di Pietro
30Dopo che ebbero cantato l’inno, uscirono per andare al monte degli Ulivi.31Allora Gesù disse loro: «Questa notte voi tutti avrete in me un’occasione di caduta; perché è scritto: “Io percuoterò il pastore e le pecore del gregge saranno disperse”[2].32Ma dopo che sarò risuscitato, vi precederò in Galilea».33Pietro, rispondendo, gli disse: «Quand’anche tu fossi per tutti un’occasione di caduta, non lo sarai mai per me».34Gesù gli disse: «In verità ti dico che questa stessa notte, prima che il gallo canti, tu mi rinnegherai tre volte».35E Pietro a lui: «Quand’anche dovessi morire con te, non ti rinnegherò». E lo stesso dissero pure tutti i discepoli.
Agonia di Gesù nel giardino del Getsemani
36Allora Gesù andò con loro in un podere chiamato Getsemani[3] e disse ai discepoli: «Sedete qui finché io sia andato là e abbia pregato».37E, presi con sé Pietro e i due figli di Zebedeo, cominciò a essere triste e angosciato.38Allora disse loro: «L’anima mia è oppressa da tristezza mortale; rimanete qui e vegliate con me».39E, andato un po’ più avanti, si gettò con la faccia a terra, pregando e dicendo: «Padre mio, se è possibile, passi oltre da me questo calice! Ma pure, non come voglio io, ma come tu vuoi».40Poi tornò dai discepoli e li trovò addormentati. E disse a Pietro: «Così non siete stati capaci di vegliare con me un’ora sola?41Vegliate e pregate, affinché non cadiate in tentazione; lo spirito è pronto, ma la carne è debole».42Di nuovo, per la seconda volta, andò e pregò, dicendo: «Padre mio, se non è possibile che questo calice passi oltre da me senza che io lo beva, sia fatta la tua volontà».43E, tornato, li trovò addormentati, perché i loro occhi erano appesantiti.44Allora, lasciatili, andò di nuovo e pregò per la terza volta, ripetendo le medesime parole.45Poi tornò dai discepoli e disse loro: «Dormite pure oramai, e riposatevi! Ecco, l’ora è vicina, e il Figlio dell’uomo è dato nelle mani dei peccatori.46Alzatevi, andiamo; ecco, colui che mi tradisce è vicino».
Arresto di Gesù
47Mentre parlava ancora, ecco arrivare Giuda, uno dei dodici, e insieme a lui una gran folla con spade e bastoni, da parte dei capi dei sacerdoti e degli anziani del popolo.48Colui che lo tradiva aveva dato loro un segnale, dicendo: «Quello che bacerò, è lui; prendetelo».49E in quell’istante, avvicinatosi a Gesù, gli disse: «Ti saluto, Rabbì!» e lo baciò.50Ma Gesù gli disse: «Amico, che cosa sei venuto a fare?» Allora, avvicinatisi, misero le mani addosso a Gesù e lo presero.51Ed ecco, uno di quelli che erano con Gesù, stesa la mano, tirò fuori la sua spada e, colpito il servo del sommo sacerdote, gli recise l’orecchio.52Allora Gesù gli disse: «Riponi la tua spada al suo posto, perché tutti quelli che prendono la spada periranno di spada.53Credi forse che io non potrei pregare il Padre mio che mi mandi in questo istante più di dodici legioni[4] d’angeli?54Come dunque si adempirebbero le Scritture, secondo le quali bisogna che così avvenga?»55In quel momento Gesù disse alla folla: «Voi siete usciti con spade e bastoni, come contro un brigante, per prendermi. Ogni giorno sedevo nel tempio a insegnare e voi non mi avete preso;56ma tutto questo è avvenuto affinché si adempissero le Scritture dei profeti». Allora tutti i discepoli lo abbandonarono e fuggirono.
Gesù davanti a Caiafa e al sinedrio
57Quelli che avevano preso Gesù lo condussero da Caiafa, sommo sacerdote, presso il quale erano riuniti gli scribi e gli anziani.58Pietro lo seguiva da lontano, finché giunsero al cortile del sommo sacerdote; ed entrò, mettendosi a sedere con le guardie, per vedere come la vicenda sarebbe finita.59I capi dei sacerdoti e tutto il sinedrio cercavano qualche falsa testimonianza contro Gesù per farlo morire;60e non ne trovavano, benché si fossero fatti avanti molti falsi testimoni.61Alla fine se ne fecero avanti due, che dissero: «Costui ha detto: “Io posso distruggere il tempio di Dio e ricostruirlo in tre giorni”».62E il sommo sacerdote, alzatosi in piedi, gli disse: «Non rispondi nulla? Non senti quello che testimoniano costoro contro di te?»63Ma Gesù taceva. E il sommo sacerdote gli disse: «Ti scongiuro per il Dio vivente di dirci se tu sei il Cristo, il Figlio di Dio».64Gesù gli rispose: «Tu l’hai detto; anzi vi dico che da ora in poi vedrete il Figlio dell’uomo seduto alla destra della Potenza e venire sulle nuvole del cielo»[5].65Allora il sommo sacerdote si stracciò le vesti, dicendo: «Egli ha bestemmiato; che bisogno abbiamo ancora di testimoni? Ecco, ora avete udito la bestemmia;66che ve ne pare?» Ed essi risposero: «È reo di morte».67Allora gli sputarono in viso e gli diedero dei pugni e altri lo schiaffeggiarono,68dicendo: «Indovina, Cristo! Chi ti ha percosso?»
Gesù rinnegato tre volte da Pietro
69Pietro, intanto, stava seduto fuori nel cortile e una serva gli si avvicinò, dicendo: «Anche tu eri con Gesù il Galileo».70Ma egli lo negò davanti a tutti, dicendo: «Non so che cosa dici».71Come fu uscito nell’atrio, un’altra lo vide e disse a coloro che erano là: «Costui era con Gesù il Nazareno».72Ed egli negò di nuovo giurando: «Non conosco quell’uomo».73Di lì a poco, coloro che erano presenti si avvicinarono e dissero a Pietro: «Certo anche tu sei di quelli, perché anche il tuo parlare[6] ti fa riconoscere».74Allora egli cominciò a imprecare e a giurare: «Non conosco quell’uomo!» In quell’istante il gallo cantò.75Pietro si ricordò delle parole di Gesù che aveva dette: «Prima che il gallo canti, tu mi rinnegherai tre volte». E, andato fuori, pianse amaramente.
6Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,[1] (Mat 21,17; Mar 14,3; Lu 7,37; Giov 11,18; Giov 12,1)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 given to the poor.” (Giov 13,29)10But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. (Mat 16,8)11For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. (De 15,11; Mat 9,15; Giov 7,33)12In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. (Giov 19,40)13Truly, 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.” (Mat 24,14; At 10,4)
17Now 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?” (Eso 12,18; Mar 14,12; Lu 22,7)18He 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.’” (Mat 26,45; Giov 7,6; Giov 7,8; Giov 7,30; Giov 8,20; Giov 11,28; Giov 13,1; Giov 17,1)19And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.20When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.[2] (Mar 14,17; Lu 22,14; Lu 22,21; Giov 13,21)21And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (Giov 6,70)22And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?”23He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. (Giov 13,18)24The 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.” (Mat 18,7; Mat 26,54; Mat 26,56; Mar 9,12; Lu 18,31; Lu 24,25; Lu 24,46; Giov 17,12; At 17,2; At 26,22; 1Co 15,3; 1P 1,10)25Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.” (Mat 26,49; Mat 26,64; Lu 22,70; Giov 1,38)
Institution of the Lord’s Supper
26Now 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.” (Mat 14,19; Mar 14,22; Lu 22,18; Giov 6,53; 1Co 10,16; 1Co 11,23)27And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, (Mat 15,36)28for this is my blood of the[3] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Eso 24,8; Zac 9,11; Mat 20,28; Mat 26,26; Mar 1,4; Lu 1,77; Eb 13,20)29I 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.” (Mat 13,43)
Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
30And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mat 21,1; Mar 14,26; Lu 22,39; Giov 18,1)31Then 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.’ (Zac 13,7; Giov 16,32)32But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” (Mat 28,7; Mat 28,10; Mat 28,16; Mar 16,7)33Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” (Lu 22,31; Lu 22,33)34Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” (Mat 26,75; Lu 22,34; Giov 13,38)35Peter 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; Giov 13,37)
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.” (Mat 26,30; Mar 14,32; Lu 22,40)37And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. (Mat 4,21; Mat 17,1)38Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch[4] with me.” (Sal 42,5; Mat 24,42; Giov 12,27)39And 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.” (Mat 20,22; Mat 26,42; Giov 5,30; Giov 6,38; Fili 2,8; Eb 5,7)40And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?41Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mat 6,13; Mat 26,38; 1P 4,7)42Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Mat 6,10; Mat 26,39)43And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. (Lu 9,32)44So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. (2Co 12,8)45Then 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. (Mat 17,22; Mat 20,18; Mat 26,18; Lu 22,53; Giov 12,23; Giov 12,27; Giov 13,1; Giov 17,1)46Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47While 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. (Mat 26,14; Mar 14,43; Lu 22,47; Giov 18,3; At 1,16)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, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. (Mat 26,25)50Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.”[6] Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. (Mat 20,13; Mat 22,12; Giov 13,27)51And 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)52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (Gen 9,6; Ez 35,6; Ap 13,10)53Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? (2Re 6,17; Da 7,10; Mat 4,11; Lu 8,30; Lu 22,43; Giov 10,18; Giov 18,36)54But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” (Mat 1,22; Mat 26,24)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 I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. (Mat 4,23; Mat 21,23; Lu 2,46; Giov 8,2; Giov 18,20)56But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. (Sal 88,8; Sal 88,18; Mat 26,31; Mat 26,54; Giov 16,32)
Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council
57Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. (Mat 26,3; Mar 14,53; Lu 22,54; Giov 18,12; Giov 18,19)58And 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. (Mat 26,57; Giov 7,32; Giov 18,3; Giov 18,15)59Now the chief priests and the whole council[8] were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, (At 6,11)60but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward (De 19,15; Sal 27,12; Sal 35,11)61and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” (Mat 27,40; Giov 2,19; At 6,14)62And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”[9]63But 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; 1Sam 14,24; 1Sam 14,26; Is 53,7; Mat 1,17; Mat 14,33; Mat 16,16; Mat 22,42; Mat 27,12; Mat 27,14; Mar 5,7; Lu 22,67; Giov 10,24; Giov 19,9)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.” (Sal 110,1; Mat 16,27; Mat 24,30; Mat 26,25; Mar 16,19; Eb 1,3)65Then 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; Mat 9,3; Giov 10,36; At 14,14)66What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” (Le 24,16)67Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, (Is 50,6; Mat 5,39; Mat 27,30; Mar 10,34; Lu 22,63; Giov 18,22; At 23,2)68saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” (Mat 26,63)
Peter Denies Jesus
69Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” (Mat 26,3; Mar 14,66; Lu 22,55; Giov 18,16; Giov 18,25)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 of Nazareth.” (Mat 2,23)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 your accent betrays you.” (Giudic 12,6)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, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Mat 26,34; At 3,13)
Matteo 26
King James Version
1And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,2Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.3Then 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,4And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.5But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,7There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.8But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?9For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.10When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.11For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.12For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.13Verily 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.14Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,15And 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.16And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.17Now 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?18And 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.19And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.20Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?23And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.24The 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.25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.26And 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.27And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.29But 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.30And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.31Then 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.32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.35Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.39And 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.40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.42He 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.43And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.44And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.45Then 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.46Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.47And 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.48Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.49And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.50And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.51And, 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.52Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.53Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?55In 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.56But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.57And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.58But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.59Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;60But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,61And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.62And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?63But 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.64Jesus 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.65Then 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.66What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,68Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?69Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.70But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.71And 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.72And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.73And 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.74Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.75And 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.