謀害耶穌

26 耶穌講完了這番話後,對門徒說: 「你們知道,兩天後就是逾越節,到時人子會被出賣,被釘在十字架上。」 那時,祭司長和民間的長老正聚集在大祭司該亞法的府裡, 密謀逮捕、殺害耶穌。 但他們認為在節日期間不宜下手,因為可能會在百姓中引起騷亂。

耶穌受膏

當耶穌在伯大尼患過痲瘋病的西門家裡時, 有個女子趁著祂坐席的時候,把一瓶珍貴的香膏倒在祂頭上。

門徒看見後,生氣地說:「真浪費, 這瓶香膏值不少錢,用來賙濟窮人多好!」

10 耶穌看出他們的心思,便說:「何必為難這女子?她在我身上做的是一件美事。 11 因為你們身邊總會有窮人,可是你們身邊不會總有我。 12 她把香膏澆在我身上是為我的安葬做準備。 13 我實在告訴你們,無論福音傳到世界哪個角落,人們都會傳揚這女人的事蹟,紀念她。」

猶大出賣耶穌

14 後來,十二門徒中的加略人猶大去見祭司長,說: 15 「如果我把耶穌交給你們,你們肯出多少錢?」他們就給了他三十塊銀子。 16 從那時起,猶大就尋找機會出賣耶穌。

最後的晚餐

17 除酵節的第一天,門徒來問耶穌說:「我們該在什麼地方為你準備逾越節的晚餐呢?」

18 耶穌說:「你們進城去,到某人那裡對他說,『老師說祂的時候到了,祂要與門徒在你家中過逾越節。』」 19 門徒照耶穌的吩咐準備了逾越節的晚餐。

20 傍晚,耶穌和十二個門徒吃晚餐。 21 席間,耶穌說:「我實在告訴你們,你們中間有一個人要出賣我。」

22 他們都非常憂愁,相繼追問耶穌,說:「主啊,肯定不是我吧?」

23 祂說:「那和我一同在盤子裡蘸餅吃的就是要出賣我的人。 24 人子一定會受害,正如聖經上有關祂的記載,但出賣人子的人有禍了,他還不如不生在這世上!」

25 出賣耶穌的猶大問祂:「老師,是我嗎?」

耶穌說:「你自己說了。」

26 他們吃的時候,耶穌拿起餅來,祝謝後掰開分給門徒,說:「拿去吃吧,這是我的身體。」

27 接著又拿起杯來,祝謝後遞給門徒,說:「你們都喝吧, 28 這是我為萬人所流的立約之血,為了使罪得到赦免。 29 我告訴你們,從今天起,一直到我在我父的國與你們共飲新酒的那一天之前,我不會再喝這葡萄酒。」 30 他們唱完詩歌,就出門去了橄欖山。

預言彼得不認主

31 耶穌對門徒說:「今天晚上,你們都要離棄我。因為聖經上說,『我要擊打牧人,羊群將四散。』 32 但我復活後,要先你們一步去加利利。」

33 彼得說:「即使所有的人都離棄你,我也永遠不會離棄你!」

34 耶穌說:「我實在告訴你,今夜雞叫以前,你會三次不認我。」

35 彼得說:「就算要我跟你一起死,我也不會不認你!」其餘的門徒也都這樣說。

在客西馬尼禱告

36 耶穌和門徒到了一個叫客西馬尼的地方,祂對門徒說:「你們坐在這裡,我到那邊去禱告。」 37 祂帶了彼得和西庇太的兩個兒子一起去。祂心裡非常憂傷痛苦, 38 就對他們說:「我心裡非常憂傷,幾乎要死,你們留在這裡跟我一起警醒。」

39 祂稍往前走,俯伏在地上禱告:「我父啊!如果可以,求你撤去此杯。然而,願你的旨意成就,而非我的意願。」

40 耶穌回到三個門徒那裡,見他們都睡著了,就對彼得說:「難道你們不能跟我一同警醒一時嗎? 41 你們要警醒禱告,免得陷入誘惑。你們的心靈雖然願意,肉體卻很軟弱。」

42 祂第二次去禱告說:「我父啊!如果我非喝此杯不可,願你的旨意成就。」 43 祂回來時見他們又睡著了,因為他們睏得眼皮發沉。 44 耶穌再次離開他們,第三次去禱告,說的是同樣的話。

45 然後,祂回到門徒那裡,對他們說:「你們還在睡覺,還在休息嗎?看啊!時候到了,人子要被出賣,交在罪人手裡了。 46 起來,我們走吧。看,出賣我的人已經來了!」

耶穌被捕

47 耶穌還在說話的時候,十二門徒中的猶大來了,隨行的還有祭司長和民間長老派來的一大群拿著刀棍的人。 48 出賣耶穌的猶大預先和他們定了暗號,說:「我親吻誰,誰就是耶穌,你們把祂抓起來。」 49 猶大隨即走到耶穌跟前,說:「老師,你好。」然後親吻耶穌。

50 耶穌對他說:「朋友,你要做的事,快動手吧。」於是那些人上前,下手捉拿耶穌。 51 耶穌的跟隨者中有人伸手拔出佩刀朝大祭司的奴僕砍去,削掉了他一隻耳朵。

52 耶穌對他說:「收刀入鞘吧!因為動刀的必死在刀下。 53 難道你不知道,我可以請求我父馬上派十二營以上的天使來保護我嗎? 54 我若這樣做,聖經上有關這事必如此發生的話又怎能應驗呢?」

55 那時,耶穌對眾人說:「你們像對付強盜一樣拿著刀棍來抓我嗎?我天天在聖殿裡教導人,你們並沒有來抓我。 56 不過這一切事的發生,是要應驗先知書上的話。」那時,門徒都丟下祂逃走了。

大祭司審問耶穌

57 捉拿耶穌的人把祂押到大祭司該亞法那裡。律法教師和長老已聚集在那裡。 58 彼得遠遠地跟著耶穌,一直跟到大祭司的院子裡。他坐在衛兵當中,想知道事情的結果。

59 祭司長和全公會的人正在尋找假證據來控告耶穌,好定祂死罪。 60 雖然有很多假證人誣告祂,但都找不到真憑實據。最後有兩個人上前高聲說:

61 「這個人曾經說過,『我能拆毀聖殿,三天內把它重建起來。』」

62 大祭司站起來質問耶穌:「你不回答嗎?這些人作證控告你的是什麼呢?」 63 耶穌還是沉默不語。

大祭司又對祂說:「我奉永活上帝的名命令你起誓告訴我們,你是不是上帝的兒子基督?」

64 耶穌說:「如你所言。但我告訴你們,將來你們要看見人子坐在大能者的右邊,駕著天上的雲降臨。」

65 大祭司撕裂衣服,說:「祂褻瀆了上帝!我們還需要什麼證人呢?你們現在親耳聽見了祂說褻瀆的話, 66 你們看怎麼辦?」

他們回應說:「祂該死!」

67 他們就吐唾沫在祂臉上,揮拳打祂。還有人一邊打祂耳光,一邊說: 68 「基督啊!給我們說預言吧,是誰在打你?」

彼得三次不認主

69 當時,彼得還坐在外面的院子裡,有一個婢女走過來對他說:「你也是跟那個加利利人耶穌一夥的。」

70 彼得卻當眾否認:「我不知道你在說什麼。」

71 正當他走到門口要離開時,另一個婢女看見他,就對旁邊的人說:「這個人是跟拿撒勒人耶穌一夥的!」

72 彼得再次否認,並發誓說:「我不認識那個人。」 73 過了一會兒,旁邊站著的人過來對彼得說:「你肯定也是他們一夥的,聽你的口音就知道了。」

74 彼得又賭咒又發誓,說:「我不認識那個人!」就在這時候,雞叫了。 75 彼得想起耶穌說的話:「在雞叫以前,你會三次不認我。」他就跑出去,失聲痛哭。

Gesù è tradito

26 Quando Gesù ebbe finito di parlare di queste cose, disse ai discepoli:

«Come sapete, fra due giorni inizia la festa di Pasqua, ed io sarò arrestato e crocifisso».

Proprio in quel momento i capi sacerdoti e gli alti esponenti del popolo sʼincontravano in casa di Caifa, il sommo sacerdote, per studiare il modo di catturare Gesù senza dare nellʼocchio, per poi ucciderlo. «Ma non durante la celebrazione della Pasqua», sʼaccordarono, «altrimenti cʼè pericolo di una rivolta popolare».

Nel frattempo, Gesù era andato a Betania, in casa di Simone, il lebbroso. Mentre stavano mangiando, gli si avvicinò una donna con un vasetto dʼalabastro pieno di prezioso profumo, che versò sul capo di Gesù.

8-9 I discepoli erano indignati: «Perché tutto questo spreco?» dicevano fra loro. «Quella donna avrebbe potuto vendere quel profumo per un sacco di soldi e darli poi ai poveri!»

10 Gesù, sapendo ciò che stavano pensando, disse: «Perché la criticate? Ella ha compiuto una buona azione verso di me. 11 Voi avete sempre dei poveri fra di voi, ma non sempre avrete me. 12 Questa donna, versando il suo profumo sulla mia testa, ha preparato il mio corpo per la sepoltura. 13 Per questa azione ella sarà sempre ricordata. La storia di ciò che ha fatto sarà raccontata per tutto il mondo, ovunque sarà predicato il Vangelo».

14 Allora Giuda Iscariota, uno dei dodici apostoli, si recò dai capi sacerdoti 15 e chiese: «Quanto mi date per avere Gesù in vostro potere?» Essi gli diedero trenta monete dʼargento. 16 Da quel momento Giuda cercò lʼoccasione propizia per fare arrestare Gesù.

17 Il primo giorno delle feste di Pasqua, quando in ogni casa ebraica si prepara il pane senza lievito, i discepoli vennero a chiedere a Gesù: «Dove vuoi che ti prepariamo il pranzo di Pasqua?»

18 Gesù rispose: «Andate in città dal tal dei tali e ditegli: “Il nostro maestro dice che sta per arrivare il suo momento e farà il pranzo di Pasqua con i suoi discepoli a casa tua”». 19 I discepoli fecero come Gesù aveva loro ordinato e prepararono là per la cena.

20-21 Quella sera, mentre sedeva a tavola con i dodici, Gesù disse: «Uno di voi mi tradirà». 22 I discepoli diventarono molto tristi e cominciarono a chiedergli uno alla volta: «Sono io quello che ti tradirà, Signore?»

23 E Gesù rispose: «È quello che ho servito per primo. 24 Devo morire, proprio come dice la profezia, ma guai allʼuomo da cui sono tradito! Sarebbe stato molto meglio per lui se non fosse mai nato!»

25 Anche Giuda, il traditore, gli chiese: «Maestro, sono io quello?» E Gesù gli rispose: «Sì».

26 Mentre stavano mangiando, Gesù prese del pane, lo benedì, lo spezzò, poi lo diede ai discepoli, dicendo: «Prendete e mangiate, questo è il mio corpo».

27 Poi prese una coppa di vino, ringraziò Dio e la diede ai discepoli, dicendo: «Bevetene tutti, 28 perché questo è il mio sangue, che suggella il Nuovo Patto. È versato per perdonare i peccati di molti. 29 Ricordate le mie parole: non berrò più vino fino al giorno in cui non ne berrò del nuovo con voi nel Regno di mio Padre».

30 E, dopo aver cantato un inno, si avviarono verso il Monte degli Ulivi.

31 Allora Gesù disse loro: «Stanotte tutti voi mi abbandonerete. Perché nelle Scritture è scritto che Dio colpirà il Pastore, e le pecore del gregge saranno disperse. 32 Ma dopo che sarò risorto, vi precederò in Galilea, e là vʼincontrerò».

33 Pietro disse: «Anche se tutti ti abbandonano, io non lo farò mai!»

34 Allora Gesù rispose: «Io invece ti dico che proprio stanotte, prima che il gallo canti allʼalba, tu mi rinnegherai tre volte!»

35 «Morirei piuttosto!» insistette Pietro. Ed anche tutti gli altri discepoli asserivano lo stesso.

Gesù prega

36 Allora Gesù li portò in un orto, detto Getsemani, e disse loro di sedere ed aspettare mentre andava avanti a pregare. 37 Prese con sé Pietro e i due figli di Zebedeo, Giacomo e Giovanni, e cominciò a sentirsi angosciato e disperato.

38 Poi disse loro: «La mia anima è oppressa dallʼorrore e dalla tristezza della morte… Restate qui… restate svegli con me!…»

39 Li precedette di poco, poi cadde a faccia in terra e pregò: «Padre mio! Se è possibile, allontana da me questo calice di dolore! Ma sia fatta la tua volontà, non la mia».

40 Poi tornò dai tre discepoli e li trovò addormentati. «Pietro», disse Gesù, «non siete neppure capaci di rimanere svegli con me per unʼora? 41 State svegli e pregate! Altrimenti sarete sopraffatti dalla tentazione. Perché senza dubbio lo spirito è pronto, ma il corpo è tanto debole!»

42 Li lasciò di nuovo e tornò a pregare: «Padre mio! Se questo calice non può essere allontanato da me finché non lo abbia bevuto completamente, sia fatta la tua volontà!»

43 Poi tornò dai discepoli e di nuovo li trovò addormentati, perché non erano riusciti a tenere gli occhi aperti.

44 Così se ne ritornò a pregare da solo per la terza volta, ripetendo le stesse parole.

45 Poi si avvicinò ai discepoli e disse: «Dormite pure e riposatevi. Ormai è giunta lʼora! Sono tradito e consegnato a degli uomini malvagi. 46 Su, andiamo. Ecco che arriva lʼuomo che mi tradisce!»

47 Non aveva ancora finito di parlare, che arrivò Giuda, uno dei dodici, e con lui cʼerano molti uomini armati di spade e bastoni, mandati dai capi giudei. 48 Giuda aveva detto loro di arrestare lʼuomo che egli avrebbe baciato, perché era lui quello che cercavano. 49 Perciò, Giuda si avvicinò a Gesù e disse: «Salve Maestro!» Poi lo baciò.

50 Gesù disse: «Amico, fai pure ciò per cui sei venuto fin qui». Allora gli altri gli furono addosso.

51 Uno degli uomini che erano con Gesù sfoderò una spada e staccò di netto lʼorecchio di un servo del sommo sacerdote.

52 «Metti via quella spada!» lo rimproverò Gesù. «Perché quelli che usano le spade, finiranno uccisi. 53 Non ti rendi conto che potrei chiedere a mio Padre dodici legioni di angeli per proteggerci, e me li manderebbe immediatamente? 54 Ma se lo facessi, come si avvererebbero le Scritture che descrivono ciò che sta accadendo ora?»

55 Poi Gesù disse a quegli uomini: «Sono forse un criminale così pericoloso, da armarvi di spade e bastoni per venire ad arrestarmi? Tutti i giorni ero seduto nel tempio ad insegnare, e non mi avete arrestato allora. 56 Ma tutto questo sta avvenendo, perché si adempiano le parole dei profeti nelle Scritture». A questo punto, tutti i discepoli lo abbandonarono e scapparono via.

57 Allora la folla lo portò alla residenza di Caifa, il sommo sacerdote, dove si erano riuniti tutti i capi giudei.

58 Intanto, Pietro li aveva seguiti da lontano ed era entrato nel cortile della casa del sommo sacerdote. Là si mise a sedere con i soldati per vedere come andava a finire.

59 I capi sacerdoti e tutta la Corte Suprema Ebraica, si erano riuniti in assemblea e cercavano testimoni che mentissero sul conto di Gesù, per fargli un processo che si concludesse con una condanna a morte.

60-61 Ma, nonostante avessero trovato molti falsi testimoni, costoro si erano sempre contraddetti a vicenda.

Finalmente si presentarono due uomini che dichiararono: «Questʼuomo ha detto: “Io posso distruggere il tempio di Dio e ricostruirlo in tre giorni”».

62 Allora il sommo sacerdote si alzò e si rivolse a Gesù: «Ebbene cosa rispondi? Hai detto così, sì o no?»

63 Ma Gesù taceva.

Poi il sommo sacerdote gli disse: «Esigo nel nome del Dio Vivente di dirci se sei tu il Messia, il Figlio di Dio!»

64 «Sì», rispose Gesù, «sono io. Anzi, vi dico che in futuro vedrete me, il Figlio dellʼUomo, sedere alla destra di Dio onnipotente e ritornare sulle nuvole del cielo».

65-66 Allora il sommo sacerdote si stracciò le vesti, gridando: «Questa è una bestemmia! Che bisogno abbiamo di altri testimoni? Lo avete udito tutti con le vostre orecchie! Qual è la vostra sentenza?»

E gli altri risposero: «Deve essere condannato a morte!»

67 Poi gli sputarono in faccia, lo presero a pugni ed alcuni lo schiaffeggiarono, 68 dicendo: «Indovina un poʼ, Cristo profeta, chi ti ha colpito questa volta?»

Pietro nega di conoscere Gesù

69 Nel frattempo, mentre Pietro sedeva nel cortile, una serva gli si avvicinò e gli disse: «Tu eri con Gesù, perché venite tutti e due dalla Galilea!»

70 Ma Pietro lo negò a gran voce, dicendo: «Non so nemmeno di che cosa stai parlando!»

71 Più tardi, fuori dal cancello, una altra serva lo notò e disse a quelli che stavano lì intorno: «Questʼuomo era con Gesù di Nazaret!»

72 Di nuovo Pietro lo negò, stavolta con un giuramento: «Non lo conosco nemmeno quellʼuomo!» disse.

73 Ma, poco dopo, alcune persone gli si avvicinarono e gli dissero: «Sappiamo che sei uno dei suoi discepoli, si capisce dal tuo accento che sei della Galilea!»

74 Pietro cominciò a maledire e a spergiurare. «Non lo conosco nemmeno quellʼuomo là!» diceva. Improvvisamente il gallo cantò. 75 Allora Pietro si ricordò di ciò che Gesù gli aveva detto: «Prima che il gallo canti, tu mi rinnegherai tre volte». E si allontanò, piangendo amaramente.

The Plot Against Jesus(A)

26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things,(B) he said to his disciples, “As you know, the Passover(C) is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled(D) in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,(E) and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.(F) “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot(G) among the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany(H)(I)

While Jesus was in Bethany(J) in the home of Simon the Leper, 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.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “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,[a](K) but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.(L) 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.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus(M)

14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot(N)—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.(O) 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

The Last Supper(P)(Q)(R)

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread,(S) the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”(T)

18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time(U) 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.”(V)

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.(W) 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him.(X) 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,(Y) said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”(Z)

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it(AA) and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27 Then he took a cup,(AB) 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[b] covenant,(AC) which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.(AD) 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(AE) in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.(AF)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial(AG)

31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me,(AH) for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[c](AI)

32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”(AJ)

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 rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”(AK)

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you,(AL) I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Gethsemane(AM)

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(AN) along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow(AO) to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”(AP)

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup(AQ) be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”(AR)

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me(AS) for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.(AT) 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.”(AU)

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(AV) has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus Arrested(AW)

47 While he was still speaking, Judas,(AX) 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!”(AY) and kissed him.

50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”[d](AZ)

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword,(BA) drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.(BB)

52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.(BC) 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?(BD) 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled(BE) 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,(BF) and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”(BG) Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin(BH)

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas(BI) 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.(BJ) He entered and sat down with the guards(BK) to see the outcome.

59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin(BL) 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(BM) came forward.

Finally two(BN) came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”(BO)

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.(BP)

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath(BQ) by the living God:(BR) Tell us if you are the Messiah,(BS) the Son of God.”(BT)

64 “You have said so,”(BU) 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(BV) and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[e](BW)

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes(BX) 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,”(BY) they answered.

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists.(BZ) Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”(CA)

Peter Disowns Jesus(CB)

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 rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”(CC) And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:11 See Deut. 15:11.
  2. Matthew 26:28 Some manuscripts the new
  3. Matthew 26:31 Zech. 13:7
  4. Matthew 26:50 Or “Why have you come, friend?”
  5. Matthew 26:64 See Psalm 110:1; Daniel 7:13.

Preparations for Jesus’ death

26 So this is how it finally happened.

When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, “In two days’ time, as you know, it’ll be Passover! That’s when the son of man will be handed over to be crucified.”

Then the chief priests got together with the elders of the people, in the official residence of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. They plotted how to capture Jesus by some trick, and kill him.

“We’d better not try anything at the feast,” they said. “We don’t want the people to riot.”

While Jesus was at Bethany, in the house of Simon (known as “the Leper”), a woman came to him who had an alabaster vase of extremely valuable ointment. She poured it on his head as he was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw it, they were furious.

“What’s the point of all this waste?” they said. “This could have been sold for a fortune, and the money could have been given to the poor!”

10 Jesus knew what they were thinking.

“Why make life difficult for the woman?” he said. “It’s a lovely thing, what she’s done for me. 11 You always have the poor with you, don’t you? But you won’t always have me. 12 When she poured this ointment on my body, you see, she did it to prepare me for my burial. 13 I’m telling you the truth: wherever this gospel is announced in all the world, what she has just done will be told, and people will remember her.”

Passover and betrayal

14 Then one of the Twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests.

15 “What will you give me,” he said, “to hand him over to you?”

They settled the deal with him at thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that moment on, he was watching for an opportunity to hand him over.

17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples said to Jesus, “Where do you want us to get the Passover ready for you to eat it?”

18 “Go into the city,” he said, “to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The teacher says, “My time is very close. I’m going to keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.” ’ ”

19 So the disciples did as Jesus had told them, and got the Passover ready.

20 When evening came, he settled down with the Twelve. 21 As they were eating, he said, “I’m telling you the truth: one of you will betray me.” 22 They were extremely upset, and began to say one by one, “It’s not me, is it, Master?”

23 “It’s one who’s dipped his hand with me in the dish,” Jesus replied. “That’s the one who will betray me. 24 The son of man is on his way, as the Bible said it would happen, but it’s misery for the man who hands him over. It would be better for that man if he’d never been born.”

25 At this, Judas, who was planning to betray him, said, “It isn’t me, is it, Teacher?”

“You’ve just said so,” he replied.

The Last Supper

26 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to the disciples.

“Take it and eat it,” he said, “this is my body.”

27 Then he took a cup; and, after giving thanks, he gave it to them.

“Drink this, all of you,” he said. 28 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 But let me tell you this: I will not drink any more from this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in the kingdom of my father.”

30 They sang a hymn, and went out to the Mount of Olives.

31 Then Jesus said to them, “You are all going to stumble and fall tonight because of me. This is what the Bible says, you see:

I shall strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.

32 “But after I am raised up, I shall go on ahead of you to Galilee.”

33 “Even if everyone else trips and falls,” said Peter in reply to him, “I’m never going to do that!”

34 “I’m telling you the truth,” said Jesus to him, “this very night, before the cock has crowed, you will deny me three times.”

35 “Even if I have to die with you,” said Peter to him, “I won’t ever deny you!”

And all the disciples said the same.

Gethsemane

36 So Jesus went with them to the place called Gethsemane.

“You sit here,” he said to the disciples, “while I go over there and pray.”

37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him, and began to be very upset and distressed.

38 “My soul is overwhelmed with grief,” he said, “even to death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 Then, going a little further on, he fell on his face and prayed.

“My father,” he said, “if it’s possible—please, please let this cup go away from me! But . . . not what I want, but what you want.”

40 He came back to the disciples and found them asleep.

“So,” he said to Peter, “couldn’t you keep watch with me for a single hour? 41 Watch and pray so that you don’t get pulled down into the time of testing. The spirit is eager, but the body is weak.”

42 Again, for the second time, he went off and said, “My father, if it’s not possible for this to pass unless I drink it, let your will be done.”

43 Again he came and found them asleep; their eyes were heavy. 44 Once more he left them and went away. He prayed for the third time, using the same words once again. 45 Then he came back to the disciples.

“You can sleep now,” he said, “and have a good rest! Look—the time has come, and the son of man is given over into the hands of wicked people! 46 Get up and let’s be going. Look! Here comes the one who’s going to betray me!”

Jesus is arrested

47 While Jesus was still speaking, there was Judas, one of the Twelve. He had come with a large crowd, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 The one who was intending to betray him gave them a sign: “The one I kiss—that’s him! Grab hold of him!”

49 So he went up at once to Jesus and said “Greetings, Teacher!” and kissed him.

50 “My friend,” said Jesus, “what have you come to do?”

Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and arrested him.

51 At that, one of the men with Jesus reached out his hand, drew his sword and hit the high priest’s slave, cutting off his ear.

52 “Put your sword back where it belongs!” said Jesus to him. “People who use the sword die by the sword! 53 Don’t you realize that I could call on my father and have him send me more than twelve legions of angels, just like that? 54 But how then can the Bible come true when it says this has to happen?”

55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you really come out with swords and sticks to arrest me, as if I were some kind of brigand? I sat there teaching in the Temple every day, and you didn’t lay hands on me! 56 But all this has happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.”

Then all the disciples abandoned him and ran away.

Jesus before Caiaphas

57 The people who had seized Jesus took him off to Caiaphas the high priest. The scribes and elders had already gathered at his house. 58 Peter, however, followed him at some distance, all the way to the high priest’s residence. He went in and sat with the servants, to see how things would work out.

59 The high priest and the whole council tried to produce false evidence against Jesus, to frame a capital charge and have him killed. 60 But even though they brought in plenty of lying witnesses, they couldn’t find the evidence they wanted. Finally two people came forward 61 and declared: “This fellow said, ‘I can destroy God’s Temple and build it again in three days!’ ”

62 Then the high priest stood up.

“Aren’t you going to answer?” he said to him. “What are these people accusing you of?”

63 But Jesus remained silent.

Then the high priest said to him, “I put you on oath before the living God: tell us if you are the Messiah, God’s son!”

64 “You said the words,” replied Jesus. “But let me tell you this: 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 robes. “He’s blasphemed!” he said. “Why do we need any more witnesses? Look—you’ve heard his blasphemy, here and now! 66 What’s your verdict?”

“He deserves to die,” they answered.

67 Then they spat in his face and hit him. Some of them slapped him, 68 and said, “Prophesy for us, Mr. Messiah! Who was it who hit you?”

Peter’s denial

69 Meanwhile, Peter sat outside in the courtyard.

One of the servant-girls came up to him.

“You were with Jesus the Galilean too, weren’t you?” she said.

70 He denied it in front of everyone.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 He went out to the gateway. Another girl saw him, and said to the people who were there, “This fellow was with Jesus the Nazarene!”

72 Once more he denied it, this time swearing, “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while the people standing around came up and said to Peter, “You really are one of them! Look—your accent makes it obvious!”

74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I don’t know the man!” And then, all at once, the cock crowed.

75 And Peter remembered.

He remembered the words Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”

And he went outside and cried like a baby.

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

Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

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,

And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

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.

But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

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.