Matthew 26:21-35

New International Reader's Version

²¹ While they were eating, he said, “What I’m about to tell you is true. One of you will hand me over to my enemies.”

²² The disciples became very sad. One after the other, they began to say to him, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord, do you?”

²³ Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will hand me over. ²⁴ The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But how terrible it will be for the one who hands over the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

²⁵ Judas was the one who was going to hand him over. He said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Teacher, do you?”

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread. He gave thanks and broke it. He handed it to his disciples and said, “Take this and eat it. This is my body.”

²⁷ Then he took a cup. He gave thanks and handed it to them. He said, “All of you drink from it. ²⁸ This is my blood of the covenant. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many people. ²⁹ Here is what I tell you. From now on, I won’t drink wine with you again until the day I drink it with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

³⁰ Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Says That the Disciples Will Turn Away

³¹ Jesus told them, “This very night you will all turn away because of me. It is written that the Lord said,

³² But after I rise from the dead, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

³³ Peter replied, “All the others may turn away because of you. But I never will.”

³⁴ “What I’m about to tell you is true,” Jesus answered. “It will happen tonight. Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t know me.”

³⁵ But Peter said, “I may have to die with you. But I will never say I don’t know you.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.