Matthew 26:47–67

The Judas Kiss

⁴⁷While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. ^aA large mob, with swords and clubs, was with him from the chief priests and elders of the people. ⁴⁸His betrayer had given them a sign: “The One I kiss, He’s the One; arrest Him!” ⁴⁹So he went right up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

⁵⁰“Friend,” ^bJesus asked him, “why have you come?” ^c

Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested Him. ⁵¹At that moment one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword. He struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his ear. ^d

⁵²Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up a sword will perish by a sword. ^e53Or do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and He will provide Me at once with more than 12 legions ^fof angels? ^g54How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled ^hthat say it must happen this way?”

⁵⁵At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal, ⁱto capture Me? Every day I used to sit, teaching in the ^•temple complex, and you didn’t arrest Me. ^j56But all this has happened so that the prophetic Scriptures ^klwould be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples ^mdeserted Him and ran away.

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin

⁵⁷Those ⁿwho had arrested Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas ^othe high priest, where the scribes and the elders had convened. ⁵⁸Meanwhile, Peter was following Him at a distance right to the high priest’s courtyard. ^pHe went in and was sitting with the temple police ^qto see the outcome. ^rs

⁵⁹The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus so they could put Him to death. ^t60But they could not find any, even though many false witnesses ^ucame forward. ^vFinally, two ^wwho came forward ⁶¹stated, “This man said, ‘I can demolish God’s sanctuary ^xand rebuild it in three days.’ ”

⁶²The high priest then stood up and said to Him, “Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?” ⁶³But ^yJesus kept silent. ^zThen the high priest said to Him, “By the living God I place You under oath: ^atell us if You are the Messiah, the Son of God!” ^b

⁶⁴“You have said it,” ^cJesus told him. “But I tell you, in the future ^dyou will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” ^ef

⁶⁵Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! ^gWhy do we still need witnesses? Look, now you’ve heard the blasphemy! ^h66What is your decision?” ⁱ

They answered, “He deserves death!” ^j67Then they spit in His face ^kand beat Him; others slapped Him