Matthew 26:36-51

Christian Standard Bible

The Prayer in the Garden

³⁶ Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane,^(A) and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.^{(B) 38} He said to them, “I am deeply grieved^[a] to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.”^{(C) 39} Going a little farther,^[b] he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”^(D)

⁴⁰ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour? ⁴¹ Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

⁴² Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this^[c] cannot pass^[d] unless I drink it, your will be done.”^{(E) 43} And he came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open.

⁴⁴ After leaving them, he went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. ⁴⁵ Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? See, the time is near. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.^{(F) 46} Get up; let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.”

Judas’s Betrayal of Jesus

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived.^(G) A large mob with swords and clubs was with him from the chief priests and elders of the people. ⁴⁸ His betrayer had given them a sign: “The one I kiss, he’s the one; arrest him.” ⁴⁹ So immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

⁵⁰ “Friend,”^(H) Jesus asked him, “why have you come?”^[e]

Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested him. ⁵¹ At that moment one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword. He struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his ear.^(I)