Matthew

The Gospel according to Saint Matthew, chapter 26, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 26 New English Translation

The Plot Against Jesus

   1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he told his disciples, 2 "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified." 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people met together in the palace of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas. 4 They planned to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, "Not during the feast, so that there won't be a riot among the people."

Jesus' Anointing

   6 Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfumed oil, and she poured it on his head as he was at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they became indignant and said, "Why this waste? 9 It could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor!" 10 When Jesus learned of this, he said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a good service for me. 11 For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me! 12 When she poured this oil on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."

The Plan to Betray Jesus

   14 Then one of the twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What will you give me to betray him into your hands?" So they set out thirty silver coins for him. 16 From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray him.

The Passover

   17 Now on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?" 18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near. I will observe the Passover with my disciples at your house."'" 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had instructed them, and they prepared the Passover. 20 When it was evening, he took his place at the table with the twelve. 21 And while they were eating he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." 22 They became greatly distressed and each one began to say to him, "Surely not I, LORD?" 23 He answered, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born." 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus replied, "You have said it yourself."

The LORD's Supper

   26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat, this is my body." 27 And after taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, that is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, from now on I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." 30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

The Prediction of Peter's Denial

   31 Then Jesus said to them, "This night you will all fall away because of me, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
   32 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." 33 Peter said to him, "If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!" 34 Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." 35 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you." And all the disciples said the same thing.

Gethsemane

   36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and became anguished and distressed. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me." 39 Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will." 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "So, couldn't you stay awake with me for one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray 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 this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done." 43 He came again and found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open. 44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is approaching, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer is approaching!"

Betrayal and Arrest

   47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 (Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him!") 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi, " and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you are here to do." Then they came and took hold of Jesus and arrested him. 51 But one of those with Jesus grabbed his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest's slave, cutting off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legions of angels right now? 54 How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled?" 55 At that moment Jesus said to the crowd, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple courts, yet you did not arrest me. 56 But this has happened so that the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Condemned by the Sanhedrin

   57 Now the ones who had arrested Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, in whose house the experts in the law and the elders had gathered. 58 But Peter was following him from a distance, all the way to the high priest's courtyard. After going in, he sat with the guards to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were trying to find false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find anything, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 and declared, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'" 62 So the high priest stood up and said to him, "Have you no answer? What is this that they are testifying against you?" 63 But Jesus was silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 Jesus said to him, "You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and declared, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Now you have heard the blasphemy! 66 What is your verdict?" They answered, "He is guilty and deserves death." 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists. And some slapped him, 68 saying, "Prophesy for us, you Christ! Who hit you?"

Peter's Denials

   69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A slave girl came to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean." 70 But he denied it in front of them all: "I don't know what you're talking about!" 71 When he went out to the gateway, another slave girl saw him and said to the people there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene." 72 He denied it again with an oath, "I do not know the man!" 73 After a little while, those standing there came up to Peter and said, "You really are one of them too - even your accent gives you away!" 74 At that he began to curse, and he swore with an oath, "I do not know the man!" At that moment a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

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 further, 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.