Matthew 26:1-50 ▼

1 Now when Jesus had finished these discourses, he said to his disciples,

2 ye know that in two days the feast of the passover will begin, and the son of man be delivered up to be crucified.

3 About this time the chief priests, and the elders of the people, assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,

4 and consulted how to seize Jesus by surprize, and take away his life.

5 but they said, this must not be done on the feastday, for fear the people rise.

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon who had been a leper,

7 there came to him a woman with an alabaster-box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, while he was at table.

8 one of his disciples seeing this, with indignation said, to what purpose is this waste?

9 for this could have been sold for a great price, which might have been given to the poor.

10 Jesus perceiving this, said to them, why do you trouble the woman? for what she has done is out of regard to me.

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

12 for her pouring this ointment on my body, is preparative to my burial.

13 I declare unto you, in whatever quarter of the world, this part of the gospel-history shall be related, what this woman has now done shall be there mentioned to her praise.

14 Then one of the twelve, Judas Iscariot by name, went to the chief priests,

15 and said, what will ye give me, and I will deliver him to you? and they promised him thirty pieces of silver.

16 from which time he watched a favourable opportunity to deliver him.

17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, and said, where would you have us make the preparations for the paschal-supper?

18 and he said, go into the city to such a man, and say to him, the master sends you word that his time is at hand, and he designs to keep the passover now at your house with his disciples.

19 the disciples then did as Jesus appointed, and made ready the passover.

20 The even being now come, he sat down with the twelve.

21 and as they were eating, he said, 'tis indeed true that one of this company shall betray me.

22 at which they were exceedingly concern'd, and began every one of them to ask, Lord, is it I?

23 to this he answered, he that has his hand in the dish with mine, he it is that will betray me.

24 the son of man is going to die, pursuant to the scripture: but wo to that man by whom the son of man is betrayed: it had been better for that man, if he had never been born.

25 then Judas, he who was to betray him, said, master, is it I? Jesus replied, yes.

26 While they were yet eating, Jesus took bread, and having given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, take, eat; this represents my body.

27 and he took the cup, and having given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, drink ye all of it:

28 for this represents my blood, the blood of the new covenant which is shed for mankind for the remission of sins.

29 but this I tell you, I shall not drink any more wine with you from this time forth to the day, when I shall drink with you, of the spiritual wine, in my father's kingdom.

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

31 then said Jesus to them, I shall be the occasion of your revolting all from me this night: for it is written, "I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered."

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

33 Peter thereupon said, tho' all the rest should abandon you, I never will.

34 Jesus replied, I tell you for certain, that this night before the time of cock-crowing, thou shalt abjure me thrice.

35 but Peter said, though it should cost me my life, I never will disown you, and so said all the disciples.

36 After this, Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemani, and said to the disciples, stay here, while I go there and pray.

37 but he took with him Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be in a very great agony of grief.

38 and he said to them, "my soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death:" stay here and watch by me.

39 Then advancing a little further, he fell prostrate in prayer, and said, "O my father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not mine, but thy will be done."

40 then returning to the disciples, and finding them asleep, he said to Peter, what, could ye not watch by me one hour?

41 watch and pray that ye may not sink under the trial: the mind indeed is vigorous, but the flesh is weak.

42 again, he went away the second time, and prayed thus, "O my father, if I cannot avoid drinking this cup, thy will be done."

43 then returning, he found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44 then he left them once more, and went to prayers the third time, using the same words.

45 and at his return, he said to his disciples, is this a time to sleep and take your rest? the hour draws nigh, and the son of man is betrayed into the hands of the gentiles.

46 rise, let us be gone, there he is, the traytor is just upon us.

47 And before he had done speaking, Judas one of the twelve appear'd, with a numerous retinue, arm'd with swords and staves, being sent by the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 now he that was to betray him, gave them this signal, the person I shall kiss, is the very man, be sure to secure him.

49 and immediately advancing to Jesus, he said, master, I salute you, and kissed him.

50 Jesus said to him, friend, what are you come about? when the others advancing, seized upon Jesus, and secur'd him.