Matthew, 26

1. And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

1. When Jesus had finished all he wanted to say, he told his disciples,

2. Ye know that after two days is [the feast of] the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

2. "You know that in two days' time it will be the Passover and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."

3. Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

3. Then the chief priests and the Jewish authorities gathered together at the palace of the High Priest whose name was Caiaphas,

4. And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill [him].

4. and they agreed to trap Jesus and kill him.

5. But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar among the people.

5. But they said among themselves, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uprising among the people."

6. Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

6. While Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,

7. There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat [at meat].

7. a woman came up to him carrying a precious jar of expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus' head as he was at table.

8. But when his disciples saw [it], they had indignation, saying, To what purpose [is] this waste?

8. Seeing this the disciples became indignant, protesting, "What a useless waste!

9. For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

9. The perfume could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor."

10. When Jesus understood [it], he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

10. But Jesus was aware of this, so he said to them, "Why are you troubling this woman? What she has just done for me is indeed a good work.

11. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

11. You always have the poor with you but you will not have me forever.

12. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did [it] for my burial.

12. She was preparing for my funeral when she anointed my body with this perfume.

13. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, [there] shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

13. Truly, I say to you: wherever the Gospel is proclaimed, all over the world, what she has done will be told in praise of her."

14. Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

14. Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went off to the chief priests and said,

15. And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

15. "How much will you give me if I hand him over to you?" They promised to give him thirty pieces of silver,

16. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

16. and from then on he kept looking for the best way to hand him over to them.

17. Now the first [day] of the [feast of] unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?

17. On the first day of the Festival of the Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said to him, "Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?"

18. And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.

18. Jesus answered, "Go into the city, to the house of a certain man, and tell him: 'The Master says: My hour is near, and I will celebrate the Passover with my disciples in your house."

19. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

19. The disciples did as Jesus had ordered and prepared the Passover meal.

20. Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

20. When it was evening, Jesus sat at table with the Twelve.

21. And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

21. While they were eating, Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you: one of you will betray me."

22. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

22. They were deeply distressed and asked him in turn, "You do not mean me, do you, Lord?"

23. And he answered and said, He that dippeth [his] hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

23. He answered, "He who will betray me is one of those who dips his bread in the dish with me.

24. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

24. The Son of Man is going as the Scriptures say he will. But alas for that one who betrays the Son of Man; better for him not to have been born."

25. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

25. Judas, who was betraying him, also asked, "You do not mean me, Master, do you?" Jesus replied, "You have said it."

26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed [it], and brake [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

26. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said a blessing and broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."

27. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

27. Then he took a cup and gave thanks, and passed it to them saying, "Drink this, all of you,

28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

28. for this is my blood, the blood of the Covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

29. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

29. Yes, I say to you: I will not taste the fruit of the vine from now until the day I drink new wine with you in my Father's kingdom."

30. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

30. After singing psalms of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

31. Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

31. Then Jesus said to them, "You will falter tonight because of me, and all will fall. For the Scripture says: I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.

32. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

32. But after my resurrection I will go ahead of you to Galilee."

33. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all [men] shall be offended because of thee, [yet] will I never be offended.

33. Peter responded, "Even though all doubt you and fall, I will never fall."

34. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

34. Jesus replied, "Truly, I say to you: this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times."

35. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

35. Peter said, "Though I have to die with you, I will never deny you." And all the disciples said the same.

36. Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

36. Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over to pray."

37. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

37. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be filled with anguish and distress.

38. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

38. And he said to them, "My soul is filled with sorrow even to death. Remain here and stay awake with me."

39. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt].

39. He went a little farther and fell to the ground, with his face touching the earth, and prayed, "Father, if it is possible, take this cup away from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want."

40. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

40. He went back to his disciples and found them asleep, and he said to Peter, "Could you not stay awake with me for even an hour?

41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.

41. Stay awake and pray, so that you may not slip into temptation. The spirit indeed is eager, but human nature is weak."

42. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

42. He again went away and prayed, "Father, if this cup cannot be taken away from me without my drinking it, let your will be done."

43. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

43. When he came back to his disciples, he again found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open.

44. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

44. He left them and again went to pray the third time, saying the same words.

45. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take [your] rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

45. Then he came back to his disciples and said to them, "You can sleep on now and take your rest! The hour has come and the Son of Man is now given over into the power of sinners.

46. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

46. Get up, let us go. Look: the betrayer is here."

47. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

47. Jesus was still speaking when Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, who had been sent by the chief priests and the Jewish authorities.

48. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

48. The traitor had arranged a signal for them: "The one I kiss, he is the man; arrest him."

49. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

49. And he went directly to Jesus and said, "Good evening, Master" and he gave him a kiss.

50. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

50. But Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came for." Then they laid hold of Jesus and arrested him.

51. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out [his] hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.

51. One of those who were with Jesus drew his sword and struck at the servant of the High Priest, cutting off his ear.

52. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

52. So Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place, for he who uses the sword will perish by the sword.

53. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

53. Do you not know that I could call on my Father, and he would at once send me more than twelve legions of angels.

54. But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

54. If Scripture says that this has to be, should it not be fulfilled?"

55. In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

55. At that moment, Jesus said to the crowd, "Why do you come to arrest me with swords and clubs, as if I were a robber? Day after day I was seated among you teaching in the Temple, yet you did not arrest me.

56. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

56. But all this has come about in fulfillment of what the Prophets said." Then all his disciples deserted him and fled.

57. And they that had laid hold on Jesus led [him] away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

57. Those who had arrested Jesus brought him to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas, where the teachers of the Law and the Jewish authorities were assembled.

58. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

58. Peter followed him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the High Priest; he entered and sat with the guards, waiting to see the end.

59. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

59. The chief priests and the whole Supreme Council needed some false evidence against Jesus, so that they might put him to death.

60. But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, [yet] found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

60. But they were unable to find any, even though false witnesses came forward.

61. And said, This [fellow] said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

61. At last, two men came up and declared, "This man said: I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days."

62. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what [is it which] these witness against thee?

62. The High Priest then stood up and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer at all? What is this evidence against you?"

63. But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

63. But Jesus kept silent. So the High Priest said to him, "In the name of the living God, I command you to tell us: Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?"

64. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

64. Jesus answered, "It is just as you say. I tell you more: from now on, you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Most Powerful God and coming on the clouds of heaven."

65. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

65. Then the High Priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has blasphemed. What more evidence do we need? You have just heard these blasphemous words.

66. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

66. What is your decision?" They answered, "He must die!"

67. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote [him] with the palms of their hands,

67. Then they began to spit on Jesus and slap him while others hit him with their fists,

68. Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

68. saying, "Messiah, prophesy! Who hit you?"

69. Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

69. Meanwhile, as Peter sat outside in the courtyard, a young servant-girl of the house said to him, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."

70. But he denied before [them] all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

70. But he denied it before everyone, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about."

71. And when he was gone out into the porch, another [maid] saw him, and said unto them that were there, This [fellow] was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

71. And as Peter was going out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and told the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."

72. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

72. Peter denied it again with an oath, swearing, "I do not know that man."

73. And after a while came unto [him] they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art [one] of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

73. After a little while, those who were standing there approached Peter and said to him, "Of course you are one of the Galileans; your accent gives you away."

74. Then began he to curse and to swear, [saying], I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

74. Peter began justifying himself with curses and oaths protesting that he did not know the man. Just then a cock crowed.

75. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

75. And Peter remembered the words of Jesus, "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." And he went away weeping bitterly.