Matthew 26:36–56

The Garden of Gethsemane

^36aThen Jesus came with them to a place called ^bGethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

³⁷And He took with Him ^aPeter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed.

³⁸Then He said to them, “^aMy soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and ^bkeep watch with Me.”

³⁹And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let ^athis cup pass from Me; ^byet not as I will, but as You will.”

⁴⁰And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not ^akeep watch with Me for one hour?

⁴¹“^aKeep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; ^bthe spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

⁴²He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this ^acannot pass away unless I drink it, ^bYour will be done.”

⁴³Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

⁴⁴And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.

⁴⁵Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “¹Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, ^athe hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.

⁴⁶“Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest

^47aWhile He was still speaking, behold, ^bJudas, one of the twelve, came up ¹accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people.

⁴⁸Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”

⁴⁹Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, ^aRabbi!” and kissed Him.

⁵⁰And Jesus said to him, “^aFriend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.

⁵¹And behold, ^aone of those who were with Jesus ¹reached and drew out his ^bsword, and struck the slave of the high priest and ²cut off his ear.

⁵²Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for ^aall those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.

⁵³“Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve ^1alegions of ^bangels?

⁵⁴“How then will ^athe Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”

⁵⁵At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? ^aEvery day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me.

⁵⁶“But all this has taken place to fulfill ^athe Scriptures of the prophets.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.