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.

Заговорът за убийството на Исус Христос

26 Когато Исус свърши тези думи, каза на учениците Си:

(A)Знаете, че след два дни ще бъде Пасхата и Човешкият Син ще бъде предаден на разпятие.

(B)Тогава главните свещеници и народните старейшини се събраха в двора на първосвещеника, който се наричаше Каяфа,

и се наговаряха как да уловят Исус с измама и да Го убият;

но си казваха: Да не е на празника, за да не стане вълнение между народа.

Помазването на Исус Христос във Витания

(C)А когато Исус беше във Витания, в къщата на Симон Прокажения,

(D)до Него се приближи една жена, която имаше алабастрен съд с много скъпо миро, което изливаше на главата Му, докато Той седеше на трапезата.

(E)А учениците, като видяха това, възнегодуваха, като казваха: Защо се прахоса това?

Защото това миро можеше да се продаде за голяма сума, която да се раздаде на сиромасите.

10 Като забеляза това, Исус им каза: Защо досаждате на жената? Понеже тя извърши добро дело за Мене.

11 (F)Защото сиромасите винаги се намират между вас, но Аз не винаги съм между вас.

12 Защото тя, като изля това миро върху тялото Ми, направи го, за да Ме приготви за погребение.

13 Истина ви казвам: Където и да се проповядва това благовестие по целия свят, ще се разказва за неин спомен и това, което тя направи.

Предателството на Юда

14 (G)Тогава един от дванадесетте, наречен Юда Искариотски, отиде при главните свещеници и каза:

15 (H)Какво ще ми дадете, за да ви Го предам? И те му определиха награда от тридесет сребърника.

16 И оттогава той търсеше удобен случай да им Го предаде.

Тайната вечеря

17 (I)А в първия ден на празника на безквасните хлябове учениците отидоха при Исус и казаха: Къде искаш да Ти приготвим, за да ядеш Пасхата?

18 Той каза: Идете в града при еди-кого си и му кажете: Учителят казва: Времето Ми е близо, у тебе ще празнувам Пасхата с учениците Си.

19 И учениците направиха, както им заръча Исус, и приготвиха Пасхата.

20 (J)И когато се свечери, Той седна на трапезата с дванадесетте ученика.

21 И докато ядяха, каза: Истина ви казвам, че един от вас ще Ме предаде.

22 А те, много наскърбени, започнаха всички един по един да Му казват: Да не съм аз, Господи?

23 (K)Той отговори: Който натопи ръката си заедно с Мене в блюдото, той ще Ме предаде.

24 (L)Човешкият Син отива, както е писано за Него; но горко на този човек, чрез когото Човешкият Син ще бъде предаден! Добре щеше да бъде за този човек, ако не бе се родил.

25 А Юда, който Го предаде, попита: Да не съм аз, Учителю? Исус му отвърна: Ти каза.

26 (M)И когато ядяха, Исус взе хляб, благослови го и го разчупи, и като го даваше на учениците, каза: Вземете, яжте – това е Моето тяло.

27 (N)Взе и чашата и като благодари на Бога, даде им и каза: Пийте от нея всички!

28 (O)Защото това е Моята кръв на новия завет, която за мнозина се пролива за прощаване на греховете.

29 (P)Но казвам ви, че отсега нататък няма вече да пия от този плод на лозата до онзи ден, когато ще го пия с вас нов в царството на Своя Отец.

30 (Q)И като изпяха химн, излязоха на Елеонския хълм.

Исус предсказва отричането на Петър

31 (R)Тогава Исус им каза: Вие всички ще се съблазните поради Мене тази нощ, защото е писано: „Ще поразя пастира; и овцете на стадото ще се разпръснат.“

32 (S)А след като бъда възкресен, ще отида преди вас в Галилея.

33 А Петър Му отговори: Дори и всички да се съблазнят поради Теб, аз никога няма да се съблазня.

34 (T)Исус Му каза: Истина ти казвам, че тази нощ, преди да пропее петелът, три пъти ще се отречеш от Мене.

35 Петър Му каза: Дори ако се наложи да умра с Тебе, пак няма да се отрека от Тебе. Същото казаха и всички други ученици.

В Гетсиманската градина

36 (U)Тогава Исус дойде с тях на едно място, наречено Гетсимания; и каза на учениците Си: Поседете тук, докато отида там да се помоля.

37 (V)И като взе със Себе Си Петър и двамата Зеведееви синове, започна да скърби и да тъгува.

38 (W)Тогава им каза: Душата Ми е прескръбна до смърт; постойте тук и бдете заедно с Мен.

39 (X)И като отиде малко напред, падна на лицето Си и се молеше, като казваше: Отче Мой, ако е възможно, нека Ме отмине тази чаша; не обаче, както Аз искам, но както Ти искаш.

40 Дойде при учениците и ги намери заспали, и каза на Петър: Не можахте ли поне един час да бдите с Мене?

41 (Y)Бдете и се молете, за да не паднете в изкушение. Духът е бодър, а тялото – немощно.

42 Пак отиде втори път и се помоли, като каза: Отче Мой, ако не е възможно да Ме отмине тази чаша, без да я пия, нека бъде Твоята воля.

43 И като дойде, пак ги намери заспали; защото очите им бяха натежали.

44 И пак ги остави и отиде да се помоли трети път, като каза пак същите думи.

45 Тогава дойде при учениците и им каза: Още ли спите и почивате? Ето, часът наближи, когато Човешкият Син се предава в ръцете на грешници.

46 Станете да вървим. Ето, приближи се този, който Ме предава.

Залавянето на Исус

47 (Z)И когато Той говореше, ето, Юда, един от дванадесетте, дойде, и с него – голямо множество, с мечове и сопи, изпратени от главните свещеници и народните старейшини.

48 А онзи, който Го предаваше, им беше дал знак, като каза: Когото целуна, Той е; хванете Го.

49 (AA)И веднага се приближи до Исус и каза: Здравей, Учителю! И Го целуна.

50 (AB)А Исус му каза: Приятелю, за каквото си дошъл, направи го. Тогава пристъпиха, сложиха ръце на Исус и Го хванаха.

51 (AC)И, ето, един от тези, които бяха с Исус, протегна ръка, измъкна ножа си и като удари слугата на първосвещеника, отсече ухото му.

52 (AD)Тогава Исус му каза: Върни ножа си на мястото му, защото всички, които посягат към ножа, от нож ще загинат.

53 (AE)Или мислиш, че не мога да извикам към Своя Отец и Той да Ми изпрати още сега повече от дванадесет легиона ангели?

54 (AF)Но тогава как биха се сбъднали Писанията, според които трябва да стане така?

55 В същия час Исус каза на народа: Като срещу разбойник ли сте излезли с ножове и тояги да Ме хванете? Всеки ден седях и поучавах в храма и не Ме хванахте.

56 (AG)Но всичко това стана, за да се сбъднат Писанията на пророците. Тогава всички ученици Го оставиха и се разбягаха.

Исус Христос на съд пред Синедриона

57 (AH)А тези, които бяха хванали Исус, Го заведоха у първосвещеника Каяфа, където бяха събрани книжниците и старейшините.

58 А Петър вървеше след Него отдалеч до двора на първосвещеника; и като влезе вътре, седна със слугите да види края.

59 А главните свещеници и целият Синедрион търсеха лъжливо свидетелство против Исус, за да Го предадат на смърт;

60 (AI)обаче не намериха, въпреки че дойдоха много лъжесвидетели. Но накрая дойдоха двама и казаха:

61 (AJ)Този каза: Мога да разруша Божия храм и за три дни пак да го съградя.

62 (AK)Тогава първосвещеникът стана и Му каза: Нищо ли не отговаряш? Какво свидетелстват тези против Тебе?

63 (AL)Но Исус мълчеше. Първосвещеникът му каза: Заклевам Те в живия Бог да ни кажеш: Ти ли си Христос, Божият Син?

64 (AM)Исус му отговори: Ти каза. Но казвам ви, отсега нататък ще видите Човешкия Син, седящ отдясно на Всесилния[a] и идващ на небесните облаци.

65 (AN)Тогава първосвещеникът раздра дрехите си и каза: Той богохулства! Каква нужда имаме вече от свидетели? Ето, сега чухме богохулството. Вие какво мислите?

66 (AO)А в отговор казаха: Заслужава смъртно наказание.

67 (AP)Тогава Го заплюваха в лицето и Го блъскаха; а други Му удряха плесници и Му казваха:

68 (AQ)Познай, Христе, кой Те удари?

Отричането на Петър

69 (AR)А Петър седеше вън на двора; и една слугиня дойде при него и му каза: И ти беше с Исус Галилеянина.

70 А той се отрече пред всички, като каза: Не разбирам какво говориш.

71 И когато излезе в преддверието, видя го друга слугиня и каза на тези, които бяха там: И този беше с Исус Назарянина.

72 И Петър пак се отрече с клетва: Не познавам Човека.

73 (AS)След малко се приближиха и онези, които стояха наблизо, и казаха на Петър: Наистина и ти си от тях, защото твоят говор те издава.

74 (AT)Тогава той започна да проклина и да се кълне: Не познавам Човека. И на часа петелът пропя.

75 (AU)И Петър си спомни думите на Исус, Който беше казал: Преди да пропее петелът, три пъти ще се отречеш от Мен. И той излезе навън и плака горко.

Footnotes

  1. 26:64 От гр. Силата.

Those who are against Jesus want to take hold of him

26 When Jesus finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, ‘You know that after two days it will be the time of the Passover festival. Then those people who are against me will put me into the power of the rulers. They will fix me, the Son of Man, to a cross to kill me.’[a]

Then the leaders of the priests and the important Jews met together in the house of the most important priest. His name was Caiaphas. They wanted to kill Jesus. But they wanted to take hold of him secretly. So they tried to decide how they could do that. They said to each other, ‘We do not want to take hold of him during the Passover festival. If we do that, the people will be angry and they may fight against us.’

A woman pours beautiful oil on Jesus' head

Then Jesus went to Bethany and he visited Simon at his house. At one time, Simon had had a bad disease of the skin.[b]

While Jesus was eating a meal there, a woman came into the house. She brought a small stone jar with her. The jar contained expensive oil with a very nice smell.[c] She poured the oil over Jesus' head while he sat there.

Jesus' disciples saw what the woman had done. They became angry and they said, ‘This woman should not have wasted the oil. She could have sold it for a lot of money. Then she could have given the money to poor people.’

10 Jesus knew what his disciples were saying. So he said to them, ‘Do not cause trouble for her. She has done a good thing to me. 11 You will always have poor people with you. But you will not always have me with you. 12 She has poured oil over my body. So now I will be ready for people to bury me. 13 I tell you this: Everywhere in the world people will speak about this good news. At the same time, they will also tell people about the good thing that this woman has done. And so people will remember her.’

Judas Iscariot promises to sell Jesus for money

14 Judas Iscariot was one of Jesus' 12 apostles. He went to see the leaders of the priests 15 and he asked them, ‘How much money will you give me if I help you to take hold of Jesus?’ The priests gave Judas 30 silver coins. 16 Judas then waited for the right moment to help them to take hold of Jesus.

Jesus eats his last meal with his 12 disciples

17 The first day of the festival when the Jews eat flat bread arrived.[d] Jesus' disciples came to him and they asked him, ‘Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you to eat?’

18 Jesus replied, ‘Go to a certain man in the city and say to him, “The teacher says: This is the moment that God has prepared for me. I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples in your house.” ’ 19 So Jesus' disciples did what he had told them to do. They went and they prepared the Passover meal.

20 When it was evening, Jesus and the 12 apostles sat down to eat the Passover meal together. 21 While they were eating, Jesus said, ‘I tell you this: One of you will help the Jewish leaders to take hold of me.’

22 They were very sad about what Jesus had said. Each one of them said to Jesus, ‘Lord, surely you do not mean me, do you?’

23 Jesus said to them ‘The man who will give me to the rulers is eating from the same dish as I am.[e] 24 The Son of Man must die in the way that the Bible says. But it will be very bad for the man who gives me to my enemies. It would be better for that man if he had not been born.’

25 Judas was the one who would give Jesus to the Jewish leaders. But he said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, surely you do not mean me, do you?’ Jesus replied to him, ‘Yes, you have said it.’

26 While Jesus and his disciples were eating, he took a loaf of bread. He thanked God for it and then he broke the bread into pieces. He gave some of it to each of them. He said, ‘Take this bread and eat it. This is my body.’

27 Then Jesus took a cup. He thanked God for the wine in the cup. Then he gave it to them and he said, ‘All of you should drink some of this wine. 28 This is my blood that shows God's promise. When I die, my blood will pour out of my body. In that way God will forgive many people for the wrong things that they have done. That is the promise that God makes because of my death. 29 I tell you this. I will not drink wine again until I drink it with you in my Father's kingdom. Then it will be new wine.’[f]

30 Then Jesus and his disciples sang a song to praise God.[g] Then they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus tells Peter what will happen

31 Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Tonight, all of you will turn away from me. It will happen in the way that the Bible says:

God says, “I will kill the shepherd who leads the sheep.
Then all the sheep will run away in different directions.” ’[h]

32 Jesus then said, ‘But after that happens, I will become alive again. Then I will go to Galilee, and you will meet me there.’

33 Peter said to Jesus, ‘Even if everyone else runs away, I will not leave you.’

34 Jesus replied to Peter, ‘I tell you this: Even tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me. This will happen before the cockerel sings early tomorrow morning.’

35 But Peter said to Jesus, ‘I will die with you if I need to. But I will never say that I do not know you.’ All the other disciples said the same thing.

Jesus prays in a garden on the Mount of Olives

36 Then Jesus and his disciples arrived at a large garden called Gethsemane. Jesus said to the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there to pray.’ 37 Then Jesus took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, James and John, with him. He became very sad and upset. 38 He said to them, ‘I am very sad. I feel as if I could die because I feel so sad. Wait here with me and stay awake.’

39 Jesus went a short way beyond them. He went down with his face on the ground. He prayed, ‘Father, if it is possible, please save me from this time of great pain. But Father, I do not ask you to do what I want. Do what you want to do.’

40 Jesus returned to the three disciples. Now they were sleeping. He said to Peter, ‘You men could not stay awake with me for even one hour! 41 You must stay awake and pray. God can help you, so that you will not do something wrong. You really want to do the right thing, but your bodies are weak.’

42 Jesus went away a second time and he prayed, ‘My Father, if it is not possible to save me from this time of great pain, then I want to obey you. Do what you want for me.’

43 Then Jesus returned again to Peter, James and John. He saw that they were sleeping. They could not keep their eyes open. 44 So Jesus went away from them again and he prayed a third time. He said the same words to God.

45 When he returned to the disciples, he said, ‘You should not still be sleeping and resting. Look! The moment has arrived! Someone will now give me, the Son of Man, to my enemies. 46 Stand up, we will go now. Look! The man who will give me to my enemies is here.’

The soldiers take hold of Jesus

47 While Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived. He was one of Jesus' 12 disciples. A crowd also came with him. They were carrying swords and heavy sticks. The leaders of the priests and the important Jews had sent these people with Judas. 48 Judas was ready to help the Jewish leaders to take hold of Jesus. Before this, he had told them, ‘I will kiss one of the men. You must take hold of that man.’

49 Now Judas went immediately to Jesus. He said, ‘Hello, Teacher.’ Then he kissed Jesus in a friendly way.[i]

50 Jesus said to Judas, ‘My friend, now do what you have come here to do.’

Then the crowd of men came up to Jesus. They took hold of him to lead him away. 51 Then one of Jesus' disciples took hold of his sword. He hit the servant of the leader of the priests with it and he cut off the servant's ear.

52 Then Jesus said to the disciple, ‘Put your sword back in its place. People who use a sword to kill others will themselves die in the same way. Someone will kill them with a sword. 53 You should know that I could ask my Father God to help me. He would immediately send more than 12 large groups of angels to fight for me. 54 They would save me. But then the things that God has said in the Bible about this would not happen. So it must happen in this way.’

55 At that time, Jesus said to the crowd, ‘You have come out here with swords and heavy sticks to take hold of me. Do you really believe that I am leading people to fight against our country's rulers? No! I was teaching people every day in the yard of the temple. But you did not try to take hold of me then. 56 The prophets wrote long ago that all this would happen to me. Now it has become true.’

Then all of Jesus' disciples ran away and left him.

Jesus stands in front of all the important rulers

57 Then those men who had taken hold of Jesus took him to Caiaphas's house. Caiaphas was the most important priest. The teachers of God's Law and the important Jews were meeting there together with Caiaphas.[j]

58 Peter followed Jesus into the yard of Caiaphas' house. But he did not go near Jesus. He sat down in the yard with the police who worked in the temple. He wanted to see what would happen.

59 The leaders of the priests and all the Jewish leaders wanted to punish Jesus with death. So they tried to find some people who would say things against Jesus that were not true. 60 Many people did come. And they said things against Jesus that were not true. But still the Jewish leaders could not find a reason to kill Jesus.[k]

Then two men stood up and they said, 61 ‘We heard this man say, “I can destroy the temple and in three days I can build it again.” ’

62 Then Caiaphas stood up. He said to Jesus, ‘You must reply now to what these men have said against you. Are the things that they say true?’ 63 But Jesus did not say anything.

So Caiaphas said to him, ‘I use the authority of the God who lives. You must promise to tell us what is true. Are you the Messiah? Are you the Son of God?’

64 ‘You have said it,’ Jesus replied. ‘And I tell all of you, soon you will see the Son of Man. He will be sitting in the most important place at the right side of the Most Powerful God. You will also see him coming to earth. He will be riding on the clouds in the sky.’

65 Then Caiaphas tore his clothes to show that he was angry.[l] He said, ‘Jesus has spoken bad words against God. We do not need anyone else to speak against him. You have heard him speak bad words against God. 66 Do you think that he is guilty?’

They replied, ‘He is guilty and he deserves to die.’

67 Then some of them spat into Jesus' face. They also hit him with their fists. 68 When they hit him, they said, ‘Messiah! Show us that you are a prophet. Tell us who hit you!’

Peter says three times that he does not know Jesus

69 While all these things were happening, Peter was sitting outside in the yard. One of the girls who worked there went to him and she said, ‘You were also a friend of Jesus, the man from Galilee.’

70 Peter said in front of everyone who was there, ‘That is not true. I do not know what you are talking about.’

71 Peter then went out to the gate, and another servant girl saw him. This girl said to the people who were standing there, ‘This man was a friend of Jesus, the man from Nazareth.’

72 Peter answered again very strongly. He said, ‘I promise you, I really do not know that man!’

73 After a little time, other people who were standing at the gate spoke to Peter. They said, ‘We are sure that you too are one of that man's friends. We know this because you speak like people who live in Galilee.’

74 Peter said to them very strongly, ‘I tell you that I do not know that man. God will surely punish me if this is not true!’

Immediately after Peter said this, the cockerel sang. 75 Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Tonight you will say three times that you do not know me. You will do it before the cockerel sings.’ So Peter went out of the yard. He began to weep a lot because he was very upset.

Footnotes

  1. 26:2 We can read about the first Passover meal in Exodus 12.
  2. 26:6 We believe that Jesus had caused Simon to become well again. Now Simon could live in his home in Bethany again.
  3. 26:7 The oil was called nard and people made it from a plant. The plant grows in the country called India. People kept the oil in a special stone jar. The woman had to break the jar to pour out the oil.
  4. 26:17 Flat bread is bread that has no yeast in it.
  5. 26:23 There was a dish on the table with wet food in it. They all put the end of their bread into this dish and they ate the wet food with the bread. Sometimes a person ate out of the same dish as someone else. This meant that they were good friends.
  6. 26:29 Most Christians still meet for special meals to remember what Jesus did for them. They obey Jesus. They eat bread and drink wine together. And they think about when Jesus died for them.
  7. 26:30 People sang a special song about God at the end of a Passover meal. It helped them to remember all that God had done for them.
  8. 26:31 See Zechariah 13:7
  9. 26:49 We think that Judas kissed Jesus on the side of his face.
  10. 26:57 Caiaphas was the leader of the important Jewish rulers. There were 71 of them. They met together to decide about how to rule the people. They also decided how to punish a bad person. They had a lot of power, but they could not kill a bad person. Only the Roman rulers could do that.
  11. 26:60 The Jewish leaders wanted a reason to give Jesus over to the Roman rulers. But Jesus had never said anything wrong.
  12. 26:65 Caiaphas tore his coat to show other people that he was very angry.

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.