Matthew 26:17-56

English Standard Version

The Passover with the Disciples

^17 (A)Now on ^(B)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, ^(C)‘The Teacher says, ^(D)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 (E)When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.^{[a] 21} And as they were eating, ^(F)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, ^(G)“He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. ²⁴ The Son of Man goes ^(H)as it is written of him, but ^(I)woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! ^(J)It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” ²⁵ Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, ^(K)Rabbi?” He said to him, ^(L)“You have said so.”

Institution of the Lord's Supper

^26 (M)Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and ^(N)after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; ^(O)this is my body.” ²⁷ And he took a cup, and when he ^(P)had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, ²⁸ for ^(Q)this is my ^(R)blood of the^[b] covenant, which is poured out for ^(S)many ^(T)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 ^(U)in my Father's kingdom.”

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

^30 (V)And when they had sung a hymn, ^(W)they went out to ^(X)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 ^(Y)strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ ³² But after I am raised up, ^(Z)I will go before you to Galilee.” ^33 (AA)Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” ^34 (AB)Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, ^(AC)before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” ^35 (AD)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 (AE)Then Jesus went with them ^(AF)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 ^(AG)Peter and ^(AH)the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, ^(AI)“My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and ^(AJ)watch^[c] with me.” ³⁹ And going a little farther he fell on his face ^(AK)and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let ^(AL)this cup pass from me; ^(AM)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 (AN)Watch and ^(AO)pray that you ^(AP)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, ^(AQ)your will be done.” ⁴³ And again he came and found them sleeping, for ^(AR)their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for ^(AS)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.^[d] See, ^(AT)the hour is at hand, and ^(AU)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 (AV)While he was still speaking, ^(AW)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, ^(AX)Rabbi!” And he kissed him. ⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, ^(AY)“Friend, ^(AZ)do what you came to do.”^[e] 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 ^(BA)sword and struck the servant^[f] of the high priest and cut off his ear. ⁵² Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For ^(BB)all who take the sword will perish by the sword. ^53 (BC)Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me ^(BD)more than twelve ^(BE)legions of angels? ^54 (BF)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 ^(BG)I sat in the temple ^(BH)teaching, and you did not seize me. ⁵⁶ But ^(BI)all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” ^(BJ)Then all the disciples left him and fled.