The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 (A)When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, (B)You know that after two days (C)the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be (D)handed over for crucifixion.”

(E)At that time the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in (F)the courtyard of the high priest named (G)Caiaphas; and they (H)plotted together to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. But they were saying, “Not during the festival, (I)otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”

The Precious Ointment

(J)Now when Jesus was in (K)Bethany, at the home of Simon [a]the Leper, (L)a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume, and she poured it on His head as He was reclining at the table. But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? For this perfume could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? For she has done a good deed for Me. 11 For you always have (M)the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12 For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it (N)to prepare Me for burial. 13 Truly I say to you, (O)wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Judas’ Bargain

14 (P)Then one of the twelve, named (Q)Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me [b]to [c](R)betray Him to you?” And (S)they set out for him thirty [d]pieces of silver. 16 And from then on he looked for a good opportunity to [e]betray [f]Jesus.

17 (T)Now on the first day of [g](U)Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and [h]asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 18 And He said, “Go into the city to (V)a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “(W)My time is near; I am keeping the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’” 19 The disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

The Last Passover

20 (X)Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the [i]twelve. 21 And as they were eating, He said, (Y)Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” 22 Being deeply grieved, they began saying to Him, each one: “Surely it is not I, Lord?” 23 And He answered, (Z)He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man is going away (AA)just as it is written about Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! (AB)It would have been good [j]for that man if he had not been born.” 25 And (AC)Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, (AD)Rabbi?” Jesus *said to him, (AE)You have said it yourself.”

The Lord’s Supper Instituted

26 (AF)Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and [k](AG)after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for (AH)this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for (AI)many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it with you, new, in My Father’s kingdom.”

30 (AJ)And after singing a [l]hymn, they went out to (AK)the Mount of Olives.

31 Then Jesus *said to them, “You will all [m](AL)fall away because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘(AM)I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be (AN)scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, (AO)I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 But Peter replied to Him, “Even if they all [n]fall away because of You, I will never fall away!” 34 Jesus said to him, (AP)Truly I say to you that (AQ)this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35 Peter *said to Him, “(AR)Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” All the disciples said the same thing as well.

The Garden of Gethsemane

36 (AS)Then Jesus *came with them to a place called [o](AT)Gethsemane, and *told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took (AU)Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He *said to them, (AV)My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and (AW)keep watch with Me.”

39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let (AX)this cup pass from Me; (AY)yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40 And He *came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and He *said to Peter, “So, you men could not (AZ)keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 (BA)Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; (BB)the spirit is [p]willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup (BC)cannot pass away unless I drink from it, (BD)Your will be done.” 43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then He *came to the disciples and *said to them, [q]Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, (BE)the hour [r]is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!”

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest

47 (BF)And while He was still speaking, behold, (BG)Judas, one of the twelve, came [s]accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign previously, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him.” 49 And immediately Judas went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, (BH)Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, (BI)Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him.

51 And behold, (BJ)one of those who were with Jesus [t]reached and drew his (BK)sword, and struck the (BL)slave of the high priest and [u]cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus *said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for (BM)all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve [v](BN)legions of (BO)angels? 54 How then would (BP)the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”

55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a man inciting a revolt? (BQ)Every day I used to sit within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me. 56 But all this has taken place so that (BR)the Scriptures of the prophets will be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

Jesus before Caiaphas

57 (BS)Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to (BT)Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58 But (BU)Peter was following Him at a distance, as far as the (BV)courtyard of the high priest, and he came inside and sat down with the [w](BW)officers to see the outcome.

59 Now the chief priests and the entire [x](BX)Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60 They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on (BY)two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘(BZ)I am able to destroy the [y]temple of God and to rebuild it [z]in three days.’” 62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You offer no answer for what these men are testifying against You?” 63 But (CA)Jesus kept silent. (CB)And the high priest said to Him, “I (CC)place You under oath by (CD)the living God, to tell us whether You are the [aa]Christ, (CE)the Son of God.” 64 Jesus *said to him, (CF)You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see (CG)the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and (CH)coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest (CI)tore his [ab]robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66 what do you think?” They answered, “(CJ)He deserves death!”

67 (CK)Then they (CL)spit in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others [ac]slapped Him, 68 and said, “(CM)Prophesy to us, You [ad]Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

Peter’s Denials

69 (CN)Now Peter was sitting outside in the (CO)courtyard, and a slave woman came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 When he had gone out to the gateway, another slave woman saw him and *said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it, with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “You really are one of them as well, (CP)since even the way you talk [ae]gives you away.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the statement that Jesus had [af]made: (CQ)Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:6 I.e., a nickname; the man no doubt was cured
  2. Matthew 26:15 Lit and I will
  3. Matthew 26:15 Or hand Him over to
  4. Matthew 26:15 I.e., silver shekels
  5. Matthew 26:16 Or hand over
  6. Matthew 26:16 Lit Him
  7. Matthew 26:17 I.e., Passover week
  8. Matthew 26:17 Lit said
  9. Matthew 26:20 One early ms twelve disciples
  10. Matthew 26:24 Lit for him if that man had not
  11. Matthew 26:26 Lit having blessed
  12. Matthew 26:30 Ps 113-118 were traditionally sung at Passover
  13. Matthew 26:31 I.e., have a lapse in faith
  14. Matthew 26:33 I.e., from the faith
  15. Matthew 26:36 I.e., oil press
  16. Matthew 26:41 Or eager
  17. Matthew 26:45 Or Keep on sleeping for the time remaining and
  18. Matthew 26:45 Or has approached
  19. Matthew 26:47 Lit and with him
  20. Matthew 26:51 Lit extended the hand
  21. Matthew 26:51 Lit took off
  22. Matthew 26:53 A legion equaled 6,000 troops
  23. Matthew 26:58 Or servants
  24. Matthew 26:59 Or Sanhedrin
  25. Matthew 26:61 Or sanctuary
  26. Matthew 26:61 Or after
  27. Matthew 26:63 I.e., Messiah
  28. Matthew 26:65 Or outer garments
  29. Matthew 26:67 Or possibly beat Him with rods
  30. Matthew 26:68 I.e., Messiah
  31. Matthew 26:73 Lit makes you evident
  32. Matthew 26:75 Lit said

26 And it came to pass, when Jesus finished all these words, he said to his disciples,

`Ye have known that after two days the passover cometh, and the Son of Man is delivered up to be crucified.'

Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, to the court of the chief priest who was called Caiaphas;

and they consulted together that they might take Jesus by guile, and kill [him],

and they said, `Not in the feast, that there may not be a tumult among the people.'

And Jesus having been in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

there came to him a woman having an alabaster box of ointment, very precious, and she poured on his head as he is reclining (at meat).

And having seen [it], his disciples were much displeased, saying, `To what purpose [is] this waste?

for this ointment could have been sold for much, and given to the poor.'

10 And Jesus having known, said to them, `Why do ye give trouble to the woman? for a good work she wrought for me;

11 for the poor always ye have with you, and me ye have not always;

12 for she having put this ointment on my body -- for my burial she did [it].

13 Verily I say to you, Wherever this good news may be proclaimed in the whole world, what this [one] did shall also be spoken of -- for a memorial of her.'

14 Then one of the twelve, who is called Judas Iscariot, having gone unto the chief priests, said,

15 `What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him up to you?' and they weighed out to him thirty silverlings,

16 and from that time he was seeking a convenient season to deliver him up.

17 And on the first [day] of the unleavened food came the disciples near to Jesus, saying to him, `Where wilt thou [that] we may prepare for thee to eat the passover?'

18 and he said, `Go away to the city, unto such a one, and say to him, The Teacher saith, My time is nigh; near thee I keep the passover, with my disciples;'

19 and the disciples did as Jesus appointed them, and prepared the passover.

20 And evening having come, he was reclining (at meat) with the twelve,

21 and while they are eating, he said, `Verily I say to you, that one of you shall deliver me up.'

22 And being grieved exceedingly, they began to say to him, each of them, `Is it I, Sir?'

23 And he answering said, `He who did dip with me the hand in the dish, he will deliver me up;

24 the Son of Man doth indeed go, as it hath been written concerning him, but wo to that man through whom the Son of Man is delivered up! good it were for him if that man had not been born.'

25 And Judas -- he who delivered him up -- answering said, `Is it I, Rabbi?' He saith to him, `Thou hast said.'

26 And while they were eating, Jesus having taken the bread, and having blessed, did brake, and was giving to the disciples, and said, `Take, eat, this is my body;'

27 and having taken the cup, and having given thanks, he gave to them, saying, `Drink ye of it -- all;

28 for this is my blood of the new covenant, that for many is being poured out -- to remission of sins;

29 and I say to you, that I may not drink henceforth on this produce of the vine, till that day when I may drink it with you new in the reign of my Father.'

30 And having sung a hymn, they went forth to the mount of the Olives;

31 then saith Jesus to them, `All ye shall be stumbled at me this night; for it hath been written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad;

32 but, after my having risen, I will go before you to Galilee.'

33 And Peter answering said to him, `Even if all shall be stumbled at thee, I will never be stumbled.'

34 Jesus said to him, `Verily I say to thee, that, this night, before cock-crowing, thrice thou wilt deny me.'

35 Peter saith to him, `Even if it may be necessary for me to die with thee, I will not deny thee;' in like manner also said all the disciples.

36 Then come with them doth Jesus to a place called Gethsemane, and he saith to the disciples, `Sit ye here, till having gone away, I shall pray yonder.'

37 And having taken Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful, and to be very heavy;

38 then saith he to them, `Exceedingly sorrowful is my soul -- unto death; abide ye here, and watch with me.'

39 And having gone forward a little, he fell on his face, praying, and saying, `My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou.'

40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and he saith to Peter, `So! ye were not able one hour to watch with me!

41 watch, and pray, that ye may not enter into temptation: the spirit indeed is forward, but the flesh weak.'

42 Again, a second time, having gone away, he prayed, saying, `My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from me except I drink it, Thy will be done;'

43 and having come, he findeth them again sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

44 And having left them, having gone away again, he prayed a third time, saying the same word;

45 then cometh he unto his disciples, and saith to them, `Sleep on henceforth, and rest! lo, the hour hath come nigh, and the Son of Man is delivered up to the hands of sinners.

46 Rise, let us go; lo, he hath come nigh who is delivering me up.'

47 And while he is yet speaking, lo, Judas, one of the twelve did come, and with him a great multitude, with swords and sticks, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 And he who did deliver him up did give them a sign, saying, `Whomsoever I will kiss, it is he: lay hold on him;'

49 and immediately, having come to Jesus, he said, `Hail, Rabbi,' and kissed him;

50 and Jesus said to him, `Comrade, for what art thou present?' Then having come near, they laid hands on Jesus, and took hold on him.

51 And lo, one of those with Jesus, having stretched forth the hand, drew his sword, and having struck the servant of the chief priest, he took off his ear.

52 Then saith Jesus to him, `Turn back thy sword to its place; for all who did take the sword, by the sword shall perish;

53 dost thou think that I am not able now to call upon my Father, and He will place beside me more than twelve legions of messengers?

54 how then may the Writings be fulfilled, that thus it behoveth to happen?'

55 In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, `As against a robber ye did come forth, with swords and sticks, to take me! daily with you I was sitting teaching in the temple, and ye did not lay hold on me;

56 but all this hath come to pass, that the Writings of the prophets may be fulfilled;' then all the disciples, having left him, fled.

57 And those laying hold on Jesus led [him] away unto Caiaphas the chief priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together,

58 and Peter was following him afar off, unto the court of the chief priest, and having gone in within, he was sitting with the officers, to see the end.

59 And the chief priests, and the elders, and all the council, were seeking false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death,

60 and they did not find; and many false witnesses having come near, they did not find; and at last two false witnesses having come near,

61 said, `This one said, I am able to throw down the sanctuary of God, and after three days to build it.'

62 And the chief priest having stood up, said to him, `Nothing thou dost answer! what do these witness against thee?

63 and Jesus was silent. And the chief priest answering said to him, `I adjure thee, by the living God, that thou mayest say to us, if thou art the Christ -- the Son of God.'

64 Jesus saith to him, `Thou hast said; nevertheless I say to you, hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the power, and coming upon the clouds, of the heaven.'

65 Then the chief priest rent his garments, saying, -- `He hath spoken evil; what need have we yet of witnesses? lo, now ye heard his evil speaking;

66 what think ye?' and they answering said, `He is worthy of death.'

67 Then did they spit in his face and buffet him, and others did slap,

68 saying, `Declare to us, O Christ, who he is that struck thee?'

69 And Peter without was sitting in the court, and there came near to him a certain maid, saying, `And thou wast with Jesus of Galilee!'

70 And he denied before all, saying, `I have not known what thou sayest.'

71 And he having gone forth to the porch, another female saw him, and saith to those there, `And this one was with Jesus of Nazareth;'

72 and again did he deny with an oath -- `I have not known the man.'

73 And after a little those standing near having come, said to Peter, `Truly thou also art of them, for even thy speech doth make thee manifest.'

74 Then began he to anathematise, and to swear -- `I have not known the man;' and immediately did a cock crow,

75 and Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, he having said to him -- `Before cock-crowing, thrice thou wilt deny me;' and having gone without, he did weep bitterly.