Matthew 26:26–46

Institution of the Lord’s Supper

^26vNow as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and ^wafter blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; ^xthis is my body.” ²⁷And he took a cup, and when he ^yhad given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, ²⁸for ^xthis is my ^zblood of the³ covenant, which is poured out for ^amany ^bfor the forgiveness of sins. ²⁹I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you ^cin my Father’s kingdom.”

Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial

^30dAnd when they had sung a hymn, ^ethey went out to ^fthe Mount of Olives. ³¹Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will ^gstrike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ ³²But after I am raised up, ^hI will go before you to Galilee.” ³³ⁱPeter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” ^34jJesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, ^kbefore the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” ^35lPeter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

^36mThen Jesus went with them ^eto a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷And taking with him ⁿPeter and ^othe two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸Then he said to them, ^p“My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and ^qwatch⁴ with me.” ³⁹And going a little farther he fell on his face ^rand prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let ^sthis cup pass from me; ^tnevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” ⁴⁰And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? ^41qWatch and ^upray that you ^vmay not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ⁴²Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, ^wyour will be done.” ⁴³And again he came and found them sleeping, for ^xtheir eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for ^ythe third time, saying the same words again. ⁴⁵Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.⁵ See, ^zthe hour is at hand, and ^athe Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”