Matthew 26:40-75 ▼

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

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

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

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

45 Then he cometh to his disciples, and saith to 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

52 Then said Jesus to him, Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword, shall perish by the sword.

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

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

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

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

58 But Peter followed him at a distance, to the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants to see the end.

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

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

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

62 And the high priest arose, and said to him, Answerest thou nothing, what is it which these testify against thee?

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

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

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

67 Then they spit in his face, and buffetted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who said to him, Before the cock shall crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.