Matthew 26:47–75

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest

47 aWhile He was still speaking, behold, bJudas, one of the twelve, came up 1accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”

49 Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, aRabbi!” and kissed Him.

50 And Jesus said to him, “aFriend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.

51 And behold, aone of those who were with Jesus 1reached and drew out his bsword, and struck the aslave of the high priest and 2cut off his ear.

52 Then Jesus * said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for aall those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.

53 “Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve 1alegions of bangels?

54 “How then will athe Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”

55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? aEvery day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me.

56 “But all this has taken place to fulfill athe Scriptures of the prophets.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

Jesus before Caiaphas

57 aThose who had seized Jesus led Him away to bCaiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.

58 But aPeter was following Him at a distance as far as the bcourtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the 1cofficers to see the outcome.

59 Now the chief priests and the whole 1aCouncil kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death.

60 They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on atwo came forward,

61 and said, “This man stated, ‘aI am able to destroy the 1temple of God and to rebuild it 2in three days.’ ”

62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?”

63 But aJesus kept silent. bAnd the high priest said to Him, “I 1cadjure You by dthe living God, that You tell us whether You are 2the Christ, ethe Son of God.”

64 Jesus * said to him, “aYou have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, 1hereafter you will see bthe Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and ccoming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest atore his 1robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy;

66 what do you think?” They answered, “aHe deserves death!”

67 aThen they bspat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others 1slapped Him,

68 and said, “aProphesy to us, You 1Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

Peter’s Denials

69 aNow Peter was sitting outside in the bcourtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.”

70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.”

71 When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and * said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.”

73 A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; afor even the way you talk 1gives you away.”

74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.

75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “aBefore a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.