Matthew 26:26–46

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.

The Prayer in the Garden

³⁶Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, ^lmand He told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. ⁿ³⁸Then He said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow ^o—to the point of death. ^pRemain here and stay awake with Me.” ^q39Going a little farther, ^rHe fell facedown and prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” ^s

⁴⁰Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you ^tstay awake with Me one hour? ⁴¹Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

⁴²Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this ^ucannot pass ^vunless I drink it, Your will be done.” ^w43And He came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. ^x

⁴⁴After leaving them, He went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. ⁴⁵Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? ^yLook, the time is near. The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. ^z46Get up; let’s go! See, My betrayer is near.”