Matthew 26:20–35

²⁰When evening came, He was reclining at the table with the Twelve. ²¹While they were eating, He said, “I assure you: One of you will betray Me.” ^u

²²Deeply distressed, each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?”

²³He replied, “The one who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl—he will betray Me. ²⁴The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, ^vbut woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

²⁵Then Judas, His betrayer, replied, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” ^w

“You have said it,” He told him.

The First Lord’s Supper

²⁶As they were eating, ^xJesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, ^yand said, “Take and eat it; this is My body.” ^z27Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; ^ait is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. ^b29But I tell you, from this moment I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way ^cin My Father’s kingdom ^dwith you.” ³⁰After singing psalms, ^ethey went out to the Mount of Olives. ^f

Peter’s Denial Predicted

³¹Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will run away ^gbecause of Me, for it is written:

I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. ^hi

³²But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” ^j

³³Peter told Him, “Even if everyone runs away because of You, I will never run away!”

³⁴“I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times!” ^k

³⁵“Even if I have to die with You,” Peter told Him, “I will never deny You!” And all the disciples said the same thing.