The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, (A)“You know that after two days (B)the Passover is coming, and (C)the Son of Man (D)will be delivered up to be crucified.”

(E)Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in (F)the palace of the high priest, whose name was (G)Caiaphas, (H)and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, “Not during the feast, (I)lest there be an uproar among the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

(J)Now when Jesus was at (K)Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,[a] 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. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and (L)given to the poor.” 10 But (M)Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For (N)you always have the poor with you, but (O)you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it (P)to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever (Q)this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told (R)in memory of her.”

Judas to Betray Jesus

14 (S)Then one of the twelve, whose name was (T)Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they (U)paid him (V)thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity (W)to betray him.

The Passover with the Disciples

17 (X)Now on (Y)the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, (Z)‘The Teacher says, (AA)My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

20 (AB)When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.[b] 21 And as they were eating, (AC)he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, (AD)“He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes (AE)as it is written of him, but (AF)woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! (AG)It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, (AH)Rabbi?” He said to him, (AI)“You have said so.”

Institution of the Lord's Supper

26 (AJ)Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and (AK)after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; (AL)this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he (AM)had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for (AN)this is my (AO)blood of the[c] covenant, which is poured out for (AP)many (AQ)for the forgiveness of sins. 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 (AR)in my Father's kingdom.”

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

30 (AS)And when they had sung a hymn, (AT)they went out to (AU)the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will (AV)strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, (AW)I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 (AX)Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 (AY)Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, (AZ)before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 (BA)Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

36 (BB)Then Jesus went with them (BC)to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him (BD)Peter and (BE)the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, (BF)“My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and (BG)watch[d] with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face (BH)and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let (BI)this cup pass from me; (BJ)nevertheless, 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, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 (BK)Watch and (BL)pray that you (BM)may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, (BN)your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for (BO)their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for (BP)the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.[e] See, (BQ)the hour is at hand, and (BR)the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 (BS)While he was still speaking, (BT)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. 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, (BU)Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, (BV)“Friend, (BW)do what you came to do.”[f] Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his (BX)sword and struck the servant[g] of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For (BY)all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 (BZ)Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me (CA)more than twelve (CB)legions of angels? 54 (CC)But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 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 (CD)I sat in the temple (CE)teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But (CF)all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” (CG)Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council

57 (CH)Then (CI)those who had seized Jesus led him to (CJ)Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And (CK)Peter was following him at a distance, as far as (CL)the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with (CM)the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council[h] (CN)were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, (CO)though many false witnesses came forward. At last (CP)two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, (CQ)‘I am able to (CR)destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”[i] 63 (CS)But Jesus remained silent. (CT)And the high priest said to him, (CU)“I adjure you by (CV)the living God, (CW)tell us if you are (CX)the Christ, (CY)the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, (CZ)“You have said so. But I tell you, from now on (DA)you will see the Son of Man (DB)seated at the right hand of Power and (DC)coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest (DD)tore his robes and said, (DE)“He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, (DF)“He deserves death.” 67 Then (DG)they spit in his face (DH)and (DI)struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you (DJ)Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Peter Denies Jesus

69 (DK)Now Peter was sitting outside (DL)in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 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 (DM)of Nazareth.” 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 (DN)your accent betrays you.” 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, (DO)“Before the rooster crows, you will (DP)deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:6 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13
  2. Matthew 26:20 Some manuscripts add disciples
  3. Matthew 26:28 Some manuscripts insert new
  4. Matthew 26:38 Or keep awake; also verses 40, 41
  5. Matthew 26:45 Or Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?
  6. Matthew 26:50 Or Friend, why are you here?
  7. Matthew 26:51 Or bondservant
  8. Matthew 26:59 Greek Sanhedrin
  9. Matthew 26:62 Or Have you no answer to what these men testify against you?

26 And it came about when Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach completed all these divrei torah, he said to his talmidim,

You know, that after two days, there is Pesach, and the Ben HaAdam is handed over for talui al HaEtz (DEVARIM 21:23; DANIEL 7:13).

Then the Rashei Hakohanim and the Ziknei haAm (Elders of the People) were assembled in the courtyard of the residence of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest), the one being called Caiapha.

And they planned to arrest Yeshoshua by a trap and kill him.

But they were saying, Not during the Chag (Feast), lest a riot break out among the am haaretz. [T.N. A careful reading of this book shows that the Moshiach pointed to the One in Ps 110:1, Dan 7:13, and Isa 53 and Ps 118:22 and declared that the same person is being referred to in all these Scriptures: Moshiach Adoneinu.]

And, while Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was in Beit-Anyah in the bais of Shimon the leper,

An isha approached him with an alabaster flask of costly perfume, and she poured it out on Moshiach’s rosh, as he sat bimesibba (reclining at tish [table]).

And having seen this, Moshiach’s talmidim were angry, saying, For what is this waste?

For it would have been possible to sell this for a generous sum and give to the aniyim (poor ones).

10 Aware of this, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, Why are you bringing about difficulty for the isha for the ma’aseh tov (good deed) she does to me.

11 For the aniyim you have with you always, but you do not always have me.

12 For this isha (woman) has poured this ointment on my basar (body) in order to prepare me for kevurah (burial). [Isa 53:9 Ps 16:9-10]

13 Omein, I say to you, wherever this Besuras HaGeulah is preached bchol HaOlam (in all the world), in her memory it will be spoken also what was done by her.

14 Then, one of the Shneym Asar (Twelve), Yehudah from Kriot, went to the Rashei Hakohanim

15 and said, What are you willing to give me? And I will hand him over to you. And they weighed out for him sheloshim shiklei kesef (thirty pieces of silver).

16 And from then on he was seeking an opportunity that he might hand Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach over.

17 But at the onset of Chag HaMatzot, Moshiach’s talmidim approached him, saying, Where do you wish we should prepare for you your Seder?

18 And he said, Go into the city to such and such person and say to him, Our Rebbe says, My time is at hand. With you I am observing Pesach with my talmidim.

19 And the talmidim did as Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach commanded them, and they prepared the Seder.

20 When erev came, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was sitting bimesibba (reclining) at tish with the Shneym Asar Talmidim.

21 And as they were eating with their Rebbe, he said, Omein, I say to you that one of you will be my betrayer.

22 And much distressed, each one began to say to him, Surely I am not the one, Adoni?

23 But, in reply, he said, The one having dipped the hand into the bowl [SHEMOT 12:8] with me, this one is my betrayer.

24 Indeed the Ben Adam [Moshiach] goes as it was written concerning him, but oy to that man through whom the Ben HaAdam is betrayed. It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.

25 And, in reply, Yehudah the betrayer of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, said, Surely I am not the one, Rabbi? Moshiach says to Yehudah, You have said it.

26 And at the Seudah, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, having taken matzah, having made HaMotzi, he broke the [middle] matzah, giving the afikoman to the talmidim, and said, Take and eat, this is my basar.

27 And having taken the Cup of Redemption and having made the bracha, he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you.

28 For this is my [Moshiach’s, see Isa 53:7-8] Dahm HaBrit HaChadasha [Isa 42:6; Jer 31:31-34], which is poured out LARABBIM (for many YESHAYAH 53:11-12) for the selicha (forgiveness) of chattaim (sins).

29 And I say to you, I will by no means drink from now on of this pri hagefen (fruit of the vine) until that Day when I drink it with you chadash (new) in the Malchut Avi.

30 And having sung the Hallel, they went out to the Har HaZeytim.

31 Then Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach says to them, All of you will be offended at me [Moshiach] during this night, for it has been written, HACH ES HAROEH UTEFUTSEN HATSON (Strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered ZECHARYAH 13:7).

32 But after I undergo Techiyas HaMoshiach I will go ahead of you to the Galil. [Mt 28:7]

33 And, in reply, Kefa said to him, If everyone will be offended at you, I never will be offended.

34 He said to him, Omein, I say to you that balailah hazeh (during this night), before a tarnegol (cock) crows, you will make hakhchashah (denial) of me [as Moshiach] shalosh paamim (three times).

35 Kefa says to him, Even if it is necessary for me to die al kiddush ha-Shem with you, by no means will I deny you. Likewise all the talmidim spoke also.

36 Then Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach comes with them to a place being called Gat-Shmanim, and Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach says to the talmidim, Sit here until I go over there and daven.

37 And having taken Kefa and the two sons of Zavdai, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach began to be sorrowful and distressed with agmat nefesh (grief).

38 Then he says to them, My nefesh is deadly grieved, even to the point of mavet. Remain here and stay awake with me.

39 And having gone forward a short distance, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach fell upon his face, davening and saying, Avi, if it is possible, let this Kos pass from me. But not as I will, but as you will (Mt 6:10; 12:50).

40 Then he comes to the talmidim and finds them sleeping, and he says to Kefa, So were you not strong enough to be awake for one hour with me?

41 Stay awake and offer tefillos, lest you enter lidey nisayon (Mt 6:13). Indeed the ruach is willing but the basar is weak.

42 Again, for a second time, having left, he davened, saying, Avi, if it is not possible for this to pass by except I drink it, let yeaseh rtzonechah (your will be done). [Mt 6:10]

43 And having come again, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach found the talmidim sleeping, for their eyes were too heavy to stay open.

44 And having left them again and having gone away, he was davening for the shlishit (third) time, saying the same words.

45 Then he comes to the talmidim and says to them, Sleep on now and take your rest. Hinei! The hour is at hand, and the Ben HaAdam Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach is being betrayed into the hands of choteim (sinners).

46 Arise, and let us go. Hinei! My betrayer has drawn near.

47 And while he was still speaking hinei! Yehudah, one of the Shneym Asar, came and with him came a great multitude with swords and clubs from the Rashei Hakohanim (Chief Priests) and the Ziknei HaAm (the Elders of the People).

48 Now the betrayer had given them a signal, saying, Whomever I may give the neshikah (kiss), he is the one. Chap (grab) him!

49 And immediately, he approached Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, and said, Shalom, Rebbe. And he gave him the neshikah.

50 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to him, Chaver, do what you came for. Then, having approached, they laid hands on Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach and arrested him.

51 And hinei! One of the ones with him stretched out his hand, drew his cherev, and struck the servant of the Kohen Gadol, cutting off his ear.

52 Then Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach says to him, Return your cherev into its place; for all who take the sword will die by the sword.

53 Or do you think that I am not able to call upon Avi, and He will provide me now more than Shneym Asar legions of malachim?

54 But how then may the Kitvei Hakodesh be fulfilled that say it must happen thus?

55 At that moment, he said to the crowd, Do you have the chutzpah (nerve) to come out, as against a revolutionary, with swords and clubs to arrest me? Daily in the Beis Hamikdash I was sitting saying my shiurim and you did not arrest me.

56 But this all happened that the Kitvei Hakodesh of the Neviim might be fulfilled. Then the talmidim deserted Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach and fled.

57 But the ones having arrested Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach led him away to Caiapha the Kohen Gadol, where the Sofrim and the Zekenim (Elders) were gathered together.

58 And Kefa was following Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach from far away. He followed him as far as the courtyard of the Kohen Gadol and, having gone inside it, Kefa was sitting down with the servants to see the maskana (outcome).

59 And the Rashei Hakohanim and the Sanhedrin all were seeking edut sheker (false testimony of false witnesses) against Yehoshua so that they might put him to death.

60 And they found none, though many shakranim (liars) came forward. At last, two came forward

61 and said, This one said, I am able to bring about a churban (destruction) of the Beis Hamikdash of Hashem and within shloshah yamim to rebuild it.

62 And having got up, the Kohen Gadol said to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, Do you answer nothing? For what do these men give edut (testimony) against you?

63 But Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was silent. And the Kohen Gadol said to him, I adjure you by Hashem, Elohim Chayyim, to tell us if you are the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Ben HaElohim.

64 Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach says to him, You said it. But I say to you, From now on you will see the Ben HaAdam [Moshiach] sitting at the right hand of Gevurah (Power) and his Bias (Coming) will be with ANENEI HASHOMAYIM (clouds of Heaven, DANIEL 7:13-14).

65 Then the Kohen Gadol made the keriah (rending, tearing of his garments), saying, He has committed Chillul Hashem. What further need do we have of edut? Hinei! Now you have heard the Chillul Hashem.

66 What does it seem to you? And, in reply, they said, He is deserving of mishpat mavet, the death penalty.

67 Then they spat into his face and they struck him and they slapped him,

68 saying, Give us a dvar nevuah, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach. Who is the one who hit you?

69 Now Kefa was sitting outside in the courtyard. And one maid approached Kefa, saying, And you were with Yehoshua of the Galil!

70 But Kefa denied it before everyone, saying, I do not have daas of what you are saying.

71 And having gone out to the gate, another saw Kefa and says to the bystanders, There! This one was with Yehoshua of Natzeret!

72 And again Kefa denied it with a shevuah (oath), I do not know the man!

73 And after a little while the bystanders came and said to Kefa, Truly also you are one of them, for even your accent gives you away!

74 Then Kefa began to curse and swear, I do not know the man! And immediately a tarnegol (cock) crowed.

75 And Kefa remembered the word which Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach had said: Before a tarnegol (cock) crows you will deny me shalosh paamim (three times). And Kefa went out and wept bitterly. [T.N. Read the letters of this Kefa on p. 1104-1112, both attested by early Kehillah tradition or manuscript evidence.]