Matthew 26:14–46

Judas Arranges to Betray Jesus

¹⁴Then one of the twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests ¹⁵and^* said, “What are you willing to give me if I in turn deliver him to you?” So they set out for him thirty silver coins. ¹⁶And from that time on, he began seeking a favorable opportunity in order that he could betray him.

Jesus’ Final Passover with the Disciples

¹⁷Now on the first day^* of the feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came up to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” ¹⁸And he said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I am celebrating the Passover with you with my disciples.” ’ ¹⁹And the disciples did as Jesus directed them, and they prepared the Passover. ²⁰And when it^* was evening, he was reclining at table with the twelve disciples.^{c 21}And while^* they were eating he said, “Truly I say to you, that one of you will betray me.” ²²And greatly distressed, each one began to say to him, “Surely I am not he, am I,^d Lord?” ²³And he answered and^* said, “The one who dips his^e hand in the bowl with me—this one will betray me. ²⁴The Son of Man is going just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if that man had not been born.” ²⁵And Judas, the one who was betraying him, answered and^* said, “Surely I am not he, am I,^f Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said it.”^*

The Lord’s Supper

²⁶Now while^* they were eating Jesus took bread and, after^* giving thanks, he broke it,^* and giving it^* to the disciples, he said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” ²⁷And after^* taking the cup and giving thanks he gave it^* to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, ²⁸for this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ²⁹But I tell you, from now on I will never drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.” ³⁰And after they^* had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

³¹Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me during this night, for it is written,

‘I will strike the shepherd

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’^g

³²But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” ³³But Peter answered and^* said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” ³⁴Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that during this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times!” ³⁵Peter said to him, “Even if it is necessary for me to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the disciples said the same thing.

The Prayer in Gethsemane

³⁶Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and^* pray.” ³⁷And taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be distressed and troubled. ³⁸Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” ³⁹And going forward a little he fell down on his face, praying and saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”^{* 40}And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “So, were you not able to stay awake with me one hour? ⁴¹Stay awake and pray that you will not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!” ⁴²Again for the second time he went away and^* prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will must be done.” ⁴³And he came again and^* found them sleeping, for they could not keep their eyes open.^{h 44}And leaving them again, he went away and^* prayed for the third time, saying the same thing again. ⁴⁵Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Get up, let us go! Behold, the one who is betraying me is approaching!”