Matthew 26:47–67

Jesus Is Arrested—Mark 14:43–52; Luke 22:47–54a; John 18:1–14

⁴⁷Just then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles, arrived. A large crowd carrying swords and clubs was with him. They were from the chief priests and leaders of the people. ⁴⁸Now, the traitor had given them a signal. He said, “The one I kiss is the man you want. Arrest him!” 

⁴⁹Then Judas quickly stepped up to Jesus and said, “Hello, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 

⁵⁰Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” 

Then some men came forward, took hold of Jesus, and arrested him. ⁵¹Suddenly, one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of the chief priest’s servant. ⁵²Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword away! All who use a sword will be killed by a sword. ⁵³Don’t you think that I could call on my Father to send more than twelve legions of angels to help me now? ⁵⁴How, then, are the Scriptures to be fulfilled that say this must happen?” 

⁵⁵At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as if I were a criminal? I used to sit teaching in the temple courtyard every day. But you didn’t arrest me then. ⁵⁶All of this has happened so that what the prophets have written would come true.” 

Then all the disciples abandoned him and ran away. 

The Trial in Front of the Jewish Council—Mark 14:53–65; Luke 22:63–71

⁵⁷Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the chief priest, where the experts in Moses’ Teachings and the leaders had gathered together. ⁵⁸Peter followed at a distance until he came to the chief priest’s courtyard. He went inside and sat with the guards to see how this would turn out. 

⁵⁹The chief priests and the whole council were searching for false testimony to use against Jesus in order to execute him. ⁶⁰But they did not find any, although many came forward with false testimony. At last two men came forward. ⁶¹They stated, “This man said, ‘I can tear down God’s temple and rebuild it in three days.’ ” 

⁶²The chief priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Don’t you have any answer to what these men testify against you?” 

⁶³But Jesus was silent. 

Then the chief priest said to him, “Swear an oath in front of the living God and tell us, are you the Messiah, the Son of God?” 

⁶⁴Jesus answered him, “Yes, I am. But I alone can guarantee that from now on you will see the Son of Man in the the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne^b. He will be coming on the clouds of heaven.” 

⁶⁵Then the chief priest tore his robes in horror and said, “He has dishonored God! Why do we need any more witnesses? You’ve just heard him dishonor God! ⁶⁶What’s your verdict?” 

They answered, “He deserves the death penalty!” 

⁶⁷Then they spit in his face, hit him with their fists, and some of them slapped him.