Matthew 26:47–67

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

⁴⁷While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” ⁴⁹At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.^{* 50}Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.”^e Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.^{* 51}Suddenly one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ⁵²Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will die by the sword.^{* 53}Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?^{* 54}But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?”^{* 55}At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a rebel? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.^*

Jesus before the High Priest

⁵⁷Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. ⁵⁸But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end.^{* 59}Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, ⁶⁰but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward^{* 61}and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ”^{* 62}The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” ⁶³But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah,^f the Son of God.”^{* 64}Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you,

From now on you will see the Son of Man

seated at the right hand of Power

and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^*

⁶⁵Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy.^{* 66}What do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death.”^{* 67}Then they spat in his face and struck him, and some slapped him,^*