Matthew 26:33-75 ▼

33 Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.”

34 Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”

35 Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke likewise.

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

37 He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress.

38 Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.”

39 He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.”

40 When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?

41 Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!”

43 Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open.

44 He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again.

45 Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.

46 Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people.

48 His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him.”

49 Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and he kissed him.

50 Jesus answered him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.

51 And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus put his hand to his sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear.

52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

53 Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But then how would the scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?”

55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me.

56 But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

57 Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58 Peter was following him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard, and going inside he sat down with the servants to see the outcome.

59 The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death,

60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward

61 who stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the temple of God and within three days rebuild it.’”

62 The high priest rose and addressed him, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?”

63 But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64 Jesus said to him in reply, “You have said so. But I tell you: From now on you will see ‘the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power’ and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.’”

65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy;

66 what is your opinion?” They said in reply, “He deserves to die!”

67 Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him,

68 saying, “Prophesy for us, Messiah: who is it that struck you?”

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.”

70 But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!”

71 As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.”

72 Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!”

73 A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.”

74 At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed.

75 Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly.