Matthew 26:47–67

Jesus Arrested

26:47–56pp—Mk 14:43–50; Lk 22:47–53

⁴⁷While he was still speaking, Judas,^x one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” ⁴⁹Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!”^y and kissed him.

⁵⁰Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”^dz

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword,^a drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.^b

⁵²“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.^{c 53}Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?^{d 54}But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled^e that say it must happen in this way?”

⁵⁵In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching,^f and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”^g Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

26:57–68pp—Mk 14:53–65; Jn 18:12,13,19–24

⁵⁷Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas^h the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. ⁵⁸But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest.ⁱ He entered and sat down with the guards^j to see the outcome.

⁵⁹The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin^k were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. ⁶⁰But they did not find any, though many false witnesses^l came forward.

Finally two^m came forward ⁶¹and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”ⁿ

⁶²Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” ⁶³But Jesus remained silent.^o

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath^p by the living God:^q Tell us if you are the Messiah,^r the Son of God.”^s

⁶⁴“You have said so,”^t Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One^u and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^ev

⁶⁵Then the high priest tore his clothes^w and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. ⁶⁶What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,”^x they answered.

⁶⁷Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists.^y Others slapped him