Matthew 26:43-56

Christian Standard Bible

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.^{(A) 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.^(B) 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,”^(C) Jesus asked him, “why have you come?”^[a]

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.^(D)

⁵² Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up the sword will perish by the sword.^{(E) 53} Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and he will provide me here and now with more than twelve legions of angels?^{(F) 54} How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled^(G) that say it must happen this way?”

⁵⁵ At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal,^[b] to capture me? Every day I used to sit, teaching in the temple, and you didn’t arrest me.^{(H) 56} But all this has happened so that the writings of the prophets^(I) would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples^(J) deserted him and ran away.