Matthew 26:1-39 ▼

1 And it happened that, when Jesus had completed all these words, he said to his disciples,

2 “You know that after two days the Passover will begin, and the Son of man will be handed over to be crucified.”

3 Then the leaders of the priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas.

4 And they took counsel so that by deceitfulness they might take hold of Jesus and kill him.

5 But they said, “Not on the feast day, lest perhaps there may be a tumult among the people.”

6 And when Jesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper,

7 a woman drew near to him, holding an alabaster box of precious ointment, and she poured it over his head while he was reclining at table.

8 But the disciples, seeing this, were indignant, saying: “What is the purpose of this waste?

9 For this could have been sold for a great deal, so as to be given to the poor.”

10 But Jesus, knowing this, said to them: “Why are you bothering this woman? For she has done a good deed to me.

11 For the poor you will always have with you. But you will not always have me.

12 For in pouring this ointment on my body, she has prepared for my burial.

13 Amen I say to you, wherever this Gospel will be preached in the whole world, what she has done also shall be told, in memory of her.”

14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the leaders of the priests,

15 and he said to them, “What are you willing to give me, if I hand him over to you?” So they appointed thirty pieces of silver for him.

16 And from then on, he sought an opportunity to betray him.

17 Then, on the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

18 So Jesus said, “Go into the city, to a certain one, and say to him: ‘The Teacher said: My time is near. I am observing the Passover with you, along with my disciples.’ ”

19 And the disciples did just as Jesus appointed to them. And they prepared the Passover.

20 Then, when evening arrived, he sat at table with his twelve disciples.

21 And while they were eating, he said: “Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me.”

22 And being greatly saddened, each one of them began to say, “Surely, it is not I, Lord?”

23 But he responded by saying: “He who dips his hand with me into the dish, the same will betray me.

24 Indeed, the Son of man goes, just as it has been written about him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man will be betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”

25 Then Judas, who betrayed him, responded by saying, “Surely, it is not I, Master?” He said to him, “You have said it.”

26 Now while they were eating the meal, Jesus took bread, and he blessed and broke and gave it to his disciples, and he said: “Take and eat. This is my body.”

27 And taking the chalice, he gave thanks. And he gave it to them, saying: “Drink from this, all of you.

28 For this is my blood of the new covenant, which shall be shed for many as a remission of sins.

29 But I say to you, I will not drink again from this fruit of the vine, until that day when I will drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.”

30 And after a hymn was sung, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

31 Then Jesus said to them: “You will all fall away from me in this night. For it has been written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 But after I have risen again, I will go before you to Galilee.”

33 Then Peter responded by saying to him, “Even if everyone else has fallen away from you, I will never fall away.”

34 Jesus said to him, “Amen I say to you, that in 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 not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke similarly.

36 Then Jesus went with them to a garden, which is called Gethsemani. And he said to his disciples, “Sit down here, while I go there and pray.”

37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and saddened.

38 Then he said to them: “My soul is sorrowful, even unto death. Stay here and keep vigil with me.”

39 And continuing on a little further, he fell prostrate on his face, praying and saying: “My Father, if it is possible, let this chalice pass away from me. Yet truly, let it not be as I will, but as you will.”