Matthew 26:31–68

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 Then 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

32 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 But Peter answered and* said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that during this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times!” 35 Peter 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

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and* pray.” 37 And taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be distressed and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” 39 And 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? 41 Stay awake and pray that you will not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!” 42 Again 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.” 43 And 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. 45 Then 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. 46 Get up, let us go! Behold, the one who is betraying me is approaching!”

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 And while* he was still speaking, behold, Judas—one of the twelve—arrived, and with him a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now the one who was betraying him had given them a sign, saying, “The one whom I kiss—he is the one.* Arrest him!” 49 And he came up to Jesus immediately and* said, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do that* for which you have come.”i Then they came up and* laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.

51 And behold, one of those with Jesus extended his* hand and* drew his sword, and striking the slave of the high priest, cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place! For all who take up the sword will die by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot call upon my Father, and he would put at my disposal at once more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then would the scriptures be fulfilled that it must happen in this way?”

55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as against a robber, to arrest me? Every day in the temple courts* I sat teaching, and you did not arrest me! 56 But all this has happened in order that the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then the disciples all abandoned him and* fled.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

57 Now those who had arrested Jesus led him* away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 But Peter was following him from a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest. And he went inside and* was sitting with the officers to see the outcome. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus in order that they could put him to death. 60 And they did not find it,* although* many false witnesses came forward. And finally two came forward 61 and* said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it* within three days.’ ” 62 And the high priest stood up and* said to him, “Do you reply nothing? What are these people testifying against you?” 63 But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath by the living God, that you tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God!” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said it.* But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Powerj and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes, saying, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have just now heard the blasphemy! 66 What do you think?” And they answered and* said, “⌊He deserves death⌋!”k 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists, and they slapped him,* 68 saying, “Prophesy for us, you Christ! Who is it who hit you?”