Matthew 26 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Matthew 26 meaning explained in AI Summary

The Last Supper and Betrayal

Jesus celebrates the Passover with His disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper.
He predicts His betrayal by Judas Iscariot.
Jesus prays in Gethsemane, where He is arrested.

This chapter marks the beginning of the Passion narrative, detailing the events leading up to Jesus' arrest.

Conspiracy and Anointing (verses 1-16):

Religious leaders conspire to kill Jesus, fearing his growing influence.
A woman anoints Jesus' head with expensive perfume, symbolizing his upcoming burial.
Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, objects to the "waste" and secretly agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

The Last Supper (verses 17-30):

Jesus celebrates Passover with his disciples, sharing a final meal.
He institutes the Eucharist, breaking bread and sharing wine, symbolizing his body and blood given for them.
Jesus predicts his betrayal by one of his own and Peter's denial.
They sing a hymn and leave for the Mount of Olives.

Gethsemane and Betrayal (verses 31-56):

Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, deeply troubled and asking God to take this cup from him, yet submitting to God's will.
Judas arrives with armed men and betrays Jesus with a kiss.
Jesus rebukes the crowd for coming with swords and violence.
Peter defends Jesus by cutting off a servant's ear, but Jesus heals the man and criticizes violence.
All the disciples desert Jesus and flee.

Key Themes:

Betrayal: The chapter highlights the betrayal of Jesus by Judas and the abandonment by his disciples, contrasting loyalty with treachery.
Sacrifice: Jesus' anointing foreshadows his death and the Eucharist symbolizes his sacrifice for humanity's sins.
Submission to God's Will: Despite his anguish, Jesus accepts his fate, demonstrating obedience to God's plan.
Love and Forgiveness: Even when betrayed and abandoned, Jesus shows compassion by healing the servant's ear.

This chapter sets the stage for the dramatic events of Jesus' trial and crucifixion, highlighting his unwavering love and sacrifice in the face of betrayal and suffering.

Matthew 26 bible study ai commentary

Matthew 26 documents the climactic events leading to the cross, contrasting divine sovereignty with human failure. As Jesus calmly predicts and institutes the new covenant in his blood, a conspiracy of religious leaders, the betrayal of a disciple, and the denial of his closest friend unfolds around him. The chapter masterfully weaves together themes of fulfillment of prophecy, the establishment of the church's central ordinance, the agony of willing sacrifice, and the frailty of even the most dedicated followers.

Matthew 26 context

This chapter takes place in Jerusalem and its immediate vicinity (Bethany, Mount of Olives) during the final week of Jesus's life, coinciding with the Jewish festival of Passover. Passover was the most significant annual pilgrimage, commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12), where the blood of a lamb saved the firstborn from death. The city was crowded and politically volatile. The events described happen over approximately 24 hours, from two days before Passover to the night of Jesus's arrest and trial. Jesus intentionally uses the powerful symbolism of the Passover lamb and the covenant meal to redefine their meaning around his own sacrificial death.

Matthew 26:1-5

When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

In-depth-analysis

Jesus's Sovereignty: Jesus is not a victim of circumstance. He initiates the passion narrative by announcing His own impending crucifixion, demonstrating complete control and knowledge of His divine timetable.
"Son of Man": This is Jesus's favored self-designation, linking His earthly suffering with the heavenly glory prophesied in Daniel 7:13-14.
The Plot: While Jesus speaks of divine deliverance ("delivered up"), the religious leaders plot human treachery. Their plan ("by stealth," "not during the feast") shows their fear of Jesus's popularity and a potential riot.
Divine Irony: The leaders plan to avoid the feast, but God's plan, announced by Jesus, is to have the crucifixion at the feast. Their conspiracy ultimately serves God's sovereign purpose. Caiaphas was the high priest from AD 18-36.

Bible references

Ps 2:2: "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed..." (Foretells the conspiracy of rulers against God's Messiah).
Jn 11:49-50: "...Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” (Caiaphas’s own unwitting prophecy about Jesus's death).

Cross references

Mk 14:1-2 (Parallel), Lk 22:1-2 (Parallel), Acts 4:25-28 (Early church applies Ps 2 to this event), Matt 16:21 (Jesus's first prediction of his death).

Matthew 26:6-13

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me... In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

In-depth-analysis

Contrasting Scenes: An act of profound, extravagant worship is juxtaposed between two scenes of plotting and betrayal.
The Ointment: The alabaster flask and expensive nard oil represent a massive financial sacrifice, possibly a family heirloom or life savings, estimated in Mark and John to be worth a year's wages.
The Act: Pouring oil on the head was an act of honoring a special guest. However, Jesus elevates it, declaring it an anointing for his burial. This prefigures the death that has just been plotted. It also carries Messianic overtones, as "Messiah" (Hebrew) and "Christ" (Greek) both mean "Anointed One."
Legacy: Jesus's promise to make her act a permanent part of the gospel proclamation is an incredible statement of His own authority and the eternal significance of sincere worship. John 12 identifies the woman as Mary of Bethany.

Bible references

Jn 12:1-8: "Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus..." (A parallel account with more detail, identifying the woman and the primary complainer, Judas).
Deut 15:11: "For there will never cease to be poor in the land..." (Jesus is not dismissing the poor, but stating the unique, unrepeatable opportunity of this moment).
Song of Solomon 1:12: "While the king was on his couch, my nard gave forth its fragrance." (Echoes the intimacy and value of the perfume in a royal context).

Cross references

Mk 14:3-9 (Parallel), Lk 7:36-50 (A different anointing event), 1 Sam 10:1 (Anointing a king), 2 Cor 2:14-16 (The "aroma" of Christ).

Matthew 26:14-16

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

In-depth-analysis

The Betrayer: The narrative tragically identifies him as "one of the twelve," emphasizing the closeness of the betrayal.
The Motive: Judas’s question, "What will you give me?" reveals a heart motivated by greed, a stark contrast to the sacrificial worship of the woman.
Thirty Pieces of Silver: This is not a random amount. It is a direct and damning fulfillment of prophecy and a statement of extreme contempt. It was the price specified in the Mosaic Law for a gored slave. The religious leaders value the Son of God at the price of a slave.

Bible references

Zech 11:12-13: "And I said to them, “If it is good in your eyes, give me my wages... And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver." (A precise prophecy of the betrayal price for God's shepherd).
Exod 21:32: "If the ox gores a male or female slave, the owner shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver..." (The legal price for a slave, showing the contemptible value placed on Jesus).
Ps 41:9: "Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me." (Foretells betrayal by an intimate companion).

Cross references

Mk 14:10-11 (Parallel), Lk 22:3-6 (Parallel, explicitly mentions Satan's influence), Jn 13:2 (The devil put it into Judas's heart), Acts 1:18 (The consequences for Judas).

Matthew 26:17-25

...the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” ...And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me... Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

In-depth-analysis

Supernatural Knowledge: Jesus’s instructions for finding the room show his divine foreknowledge and control over events.
"My time is at hand": A recurring phrase in John's gospel (kairos), signifying that the divinely appointed hour for His redemptive work has arrived.
The Accusation: Jesus forces the issue of betrayal into the open. The disciples' response, "Is it I, Lord?" shows their capacity for self-doubt and their recognition of the weakness of their own hearts.
Judas's Response: While the others say, "Lord" (Kyrios), Judas says, "Rabbi" (Teacher). This subtle difference in title reveals his lack of true submission to Jesus's divine identity.
"You have said so": A common Hebrew idiom of affirmative assent. Jesus confirms Judas's identity as the traitor directly to him. The "woe" pronounced on him is one of the most terrifying statements in scripture, underscoring the severity of his sin.

Bible references

Ps 41:9: "...who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me." (The one who dips his hand in the dish is the one who shared table fellowship).
Mk 14:12-21: Parallel account.
Jn 13:21-30: A more detailed account, noting that after receiving the morsel from Jesus, "Satan entered into him."

Cross references

Lk 22:7-13 (Parallel with more details), 1 Cor 11:23 (Passover and betrayal linked), Ps 55:12-14 (Pain of a friend's betrayal).

Matthew 26:26-29

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

In-depth-analysis

The New Passover: Jesus radically reinterprets the symbols of the Passover meal. He is instituting a new memorial meal.
"This is my body": The unleavened bread, symbolizing a hasty departure from Egypt, now represents His sinless physical body, which will be "broken" for them.
"This is my blood of the covenant": The wine, the "blood of the grapes," now represents His sacrificial blood. This phrase directly alludes to the establishment of the Mosaic Covenant, which was sealed with the blood of oxen. Jesus is establishing a New Covenant.
Word: The Greek for covenant is diathēkē, a binding pledge inaugurated by the one who makes it, often through death.
"Poured out for many": Echoes the language of the Suffering Servant, who would "pour out his soul to death" and "bear the sin of many."
Eschatological Hope: The vow of abstinence points forward to the future messianic banquet, the ultimate celebration of redemption in the kingdom of God.

Bible references

Jer 31:31: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel..." (The promise of the New Covenant that Jesus now fulfills).
Isa 53:12: "...he poured out his soul to death... yet he bore the sin of many..." (Prophecy of the Suffering Servant whose substitutionary death provides atonement).
Exod 24:8: "And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, 'Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you...'" (The Old Covenant inauguration that Jesus's action now supersedes).
1 Cor 11:23-26: Paul's account of the Last Supper, given to him by revelation, which forms the basis for the church's practice of communion.

Cross references

Mk 14:22-25 (Parallel), Lk 22:14-20 (Parallel with more detail), Heb 9:15-22 (Explains Christ as the mediator of a New Covenant ratified by His blood).

Matthew 26:30-35

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

In-depth-analysis

Hymn: They likely sang the "Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), the traditional psalms for Passover, which conclude with themes of victory and trust in God despite distress.
Prophecy of Failure: Jesus applies a prophecy about a failed leader to himself, but in the context of God's redemptive plan ("I will strike the shepherd"). The disciples' failure is predicted and part of the divine script.
Promise of Restoration: Crucially, the prediction of scattering is immediately followed by a promise of resurrection and reunion ("I will go before you to Galilee"). Grace precedes the failure.
Peter's Boast: Peter’s declaration is bold, sincere, but self-reliant. His confidence is in his own loyalty ("Though they all... I will never"), not in Christ's power to keep him.
Specific Prediction: Jesus's prophecy is incredibly specific—the timing ("this very night"), the symbol ("before the rooster crows"), and the number ("three times")—setting up the dramatic fulfillment later in the chapter.

Bible references

Zech 13:7: “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the LORD of hosts. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered..." (The specific OT prophecy Jesus quotes).
Mk 14:26-31: Parallel account.

Cross references

Lk 22:31-34 (Includes "Satan has asked to sift you like wheat"), Jn 13:36-38 (John's account of the prediction), Matt 28:7,10 (The angel and Jesus confirm the appointment in Galilee), Ps 118:22 (The cornerstone rejected, from the Hallel Psalms).

Matthew 26:36-46

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane... he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”... And again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” ...He came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

In-depth-analysis

Gethsemane: Means "oil press," a place of immense pressure, perfectly symbolizing the spiritual pressure Jesus is enduring.
Human Agony: These verses provide the most profound glimpse into the human nature of Christ. His sorrow is described with an intensity that is nearly lethal ("sorrowful, even to death").
The "Cup": In the Old Testament, the "cup" is a powerful metaphor for experiencing God's divine wrath against sin (e.g., Isa 51:17, Jer 25:15). Jesus is not asking to avoid physical death, but the spiritual horror of bearing the sin of the world and experiencing separation from the Father.
Submission: The core of the prayer, "not as I will, but as you will," is the ultimate model of submission to God. His resolve to drink the cup if necessary ("your will be done") is the hinge upon which human salvation turns.
Sleeping Disciples: Their physical sleep is a potent symbol of their spiritual dullness. They cannot comprehend the cosmic battle being waged and fail Jesus in his moment of greatest need. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Bible references

Heb 5:7: "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence." (A theological commentary on this Gethsemane prayer).
Isa 51:22: "Thus says your Lord, the LORD, your God who pleads the cause of his people: 'Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering; the bowl of my wrath you shall drink no more...'" (God takes the cup of wrath from his people).
Jn 12:27: "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour." (John's summary of the Gethsemane struggle).

Cross references

Mk 14:32-42 (Parallel), Lk 22:39-46 (Adds the detail of an angel strengthening him and his sweat being like drops of blood), Phil 2:8 (He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death).

Matthew 26:47-56

...Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders... “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” ...Then all the disciples left him and fled.

In-depth-analysis

The Kiss: A sign of friendship and respect is perverted into the signal for betrayal, the ultimate act of hypocrisy.
"Friend": Jesus’s address to Judas (hetairos) is not a term of warm affection, but more like "Companion" or "Fellow." It acknowledges a relationship now being violated.
Peter's Sword: Peter's violent defense (John 18:10 identifies him) is the futile, worldly response Jesus had just warned against. Jesus's kingdom is not advanced by earthly violence.
Twelve Legions of Angels: A Roman legion was about 6,000 soldiers. Jesus makes it clear He has overwhelming, cosmic power at His disposal (72,000+ angels). His submission is entirely voluntary.
Fulfillment of Scripture: This is the ultimate reason for His submission. The entire event is being governed by God's prophetic word.
Disciples Flee: The prophecy of the scattered sheep (v. 31) is now graphically fulfilled. At the critical moment, they all abandon Him.

Bible references

Isa 53:7: "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter..." (His willing, non-retaliatory submission).
Gen 9:6: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed..." (The principle behind "all who take the sword will perish by the sword").
Jn 18:10-11: John identifies Peter and the servant Malchus, and includes Jesus's statement, "Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?"

Cross references

Mk 14:43-52 (Parallel), Lk 22:47-53 (Includes Jesus healing the servant's ear), 2 Cor 10:4 (The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh).

Matthew 26:57-68

Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest... The chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none... At last two came forward and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” ...But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy!... What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.”

In-depth-analysis

Illegal Trial: This nighttime trial was likely a preliminary hearing before the full Sanhedrin (council), violating multiple principles of Jewish law (e.g., no night trials, no capital cases on a festival eve).
False Testimony: Their inability to find consistent false witness testifies to Jesus's innocence. The charge is a distortion of His statement in John 2:19 about the temple of His body.
Jesus's Silence: His silence before false accusations fulfills the prophecy of the Suffering Servant (Isa 53:7).
The Ultimate Question: Caiaphas puts Jesus under a legally binding oath to answer the ultimate question: "Are you the Christ, the Son of God?"
The Divine Claim: Jesus's response is an unambiguous "Yes." He combines two powerful Old Testament texts:
1. Psalm 110:1: "...Sit at my right hand..." The "right hand of Power" (a euphemism for God) signifies supreme authority and honor.
2. Daniel 7:13: "...one like a son of man, and he came with the clouds of heaven..." The "Son of Man...coming on the clouds" is a clear reference to a divine figure receiving an eternal kingdom from God.
Blasphemy: By applying these divine texts to Himself, Jesus claims equality with God. For the council, this is undeniable blasphemy, the very crime for which they can demand death. They have the charge they needed.

Bible references

Ps 110:1: "The LORD says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.'" (The most quoted OT verse in the NT, used here to claim co-regency with God).
Dan 7:13: "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days..." (Prophecy of a divine figure receiving universal dominion).
Isa 53:7: "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth..." (Fulfillment in Jesus's silence).

Cross references

Mk 14:53-65 (Parallel), Lk 22:66-71 (Formal morning trial), Jn 2:19-21 (Original temple statement), Lev 24:16 (Penalty for blasphemy is death).

Matthew 26:69-75

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he had gone out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

In-depth-analysis

Descending Denials: Peter’s failure escalates.
1. A simple denial to a servant girl ("I do not know what you mean").
2. A denial reinforced with an oath ("I do not know the man").
3. A denial with curses and oaths after his Galilean accent gives him away. He calls curses on himself if he's lying.
The Accusers: The pressure mounts from a single servant girl to a group of bystanders. Peter, who was ready to face down a mob with a sword, crumbles under suspicion and mockery.
The Rooster Crows: The simple sound of an animal serves as God's divine alarm clock, triggering Peter's memory. Jesus's prediction is fulfilled with perfect, painful accuracy.
Bitter Weeping: This is not the despair of Judas, but the weeping of brokenhearted repentance. His self-confidence is shattered, creating the condition for his future restoration by grace. This is the beginning of his journey back to Christ.

Bible references

Mt 26:34: "Jesus said to him, 'Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.'" (The prophecy now painfully fulfilled).
Lk 22:61: "And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord..." (Luke adds this poignant detail of Jesus looking at Peter at the very moment of denial).
Jn 21:15-17: (Jesus restores the thrice-denying Peter with a thrice-repeated question, "Do you love me?").

Cross references

Mk 14:66-72 (Parallel), Lk 22:54-62 (Parallel), Jn 18:15-18, 25-27 (Parallel).

Matthew chapter 26 analysis

Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Action: The chapter is structured as a powerful interplay. For every human action (plotting, anointing, betraying, denying, condemning), there is a prior divine word from Jesus or the Scriptures showing that God is in complete control, working all these actions—even sinful ones—into His perfect plan of redemption.
The Fulfillment Motif: Matthew constantly states that events happen "that the Scriptures might be fulfilled" (v. 24, 54, 56). Specific prophecies from Psalms, Isaiah, and Zechariah are explicitly quoted or alluded to, proving to Matthew’s Jewish audience that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah whose suffering was part of the divine plan.
Contrasting Characters: The chapter presents a gallery of responses to Jesus: the sacrificial worship of the woman, the calculated greed of Judas, the self-reliant pride and repentant failure of Peter, the cowardly abandonment of the other disciples, and the murderous religious jealousy of the Sanhedrin.
Institution of Covenants: The chapter contains the definitive end of one reality and the beginning of another. The betrayal and condemnation signal the rejection of the Messiah by the keepers of the Old Covenant. Simultaneously, the Last Supper institutes the New Covenant in His blood, creating a new people of God founded not on Law, but on His forgiveness of sins.
The Two Prayers: The chapter contains two monumental prayers that define the path of a disciple. Jesus’s prayer in Gethsemane ("Your will be done") is the model of perfect submission in suffering. Peter’s weeping is an unspoken prayer of repentance, demonstrating that the path back from failure is not through promises, but through brokenness.

Matthew 26 summary

Jesus declares his divinely ordained crucifixion is imminent, even as Jewish leaders plot his death. An act of extravagant worship by a woman at Bethany prefigures his burial and is contrasted with Judas's agreement to betray him for thirty pieces of silver. At the final Passover meal, Jesus redefines it as the New Covenant in his body and blood, identifies his betrayer, and predicts Peter's denial. In Gethsemane, he prays in agony, submitting to the Father’s will, while his disciples sleep. He is then arrested through Judas's kiss, tried illegally before the Sanhedrin, and condemned for blasphemy after claiming his divine identity as the Son of Man. As predicted, Peter denies him three times and weeps bitterly in repentance.

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Matthew chapter 26 kjv

¹ And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto 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.
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,
⁴ And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
⁵ But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
⁶ Now when 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.
⁸ But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
⁹ For this ointment might have been sold for much, 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.
¹¹ For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
¹² For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
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.
¹⁴ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
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.
¹⁶ And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
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?
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.
¹⁹ And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
²⁰ Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
²¹ And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
²² And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
²³ And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray 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.
²⁵ Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
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.
²⁷ And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
²⁸ For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission 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.
³⁰ And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into 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.
³² But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
³³ Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
³⁴ Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
³⁵ Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
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.
³⁷ And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
³⁸ Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
³⁹ And he went a little farther, 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.
⁴⁰ And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto 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 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.
⁴⁶ Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
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.
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 unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took 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.
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.
⁵³ Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall 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 staves for 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 afar off unto 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 witness against Jesus, to 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,
⁶¹ And said, This fellow 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 unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
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.
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.
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 did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
⁶⁸ Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
⁶⁹ Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto 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 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.
⁷² And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the 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.
⁷⁴ Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
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.

Matthew chapter 26 nkjv

¹ Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples,
² "You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."
³ Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
⁴ and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him.
⁵ But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people."
⁶ And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper,
⁷ a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table.
⁸ But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?
⁹ For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor."
¹⁰ But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.
¹¹ For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always.
¹² For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial.
¹³ Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."
¹⁴ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
¹⁵ and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.
¹⁶ So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.
¹⁷ Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?"
¹⁸ And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples." ' "
¹⁹ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.
²⁰ When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve.
²¹ Now as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me."
²² And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?"
²³ He answered and said, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me.
²⁴ The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born."
²⁵ Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, "Rabbi, is it I?" He said to him, "You have said it."
²⁶ And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."
²⁷ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.
²⁸ For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
²⁹ But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."
³⁰ And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
³¹ Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
³² But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee."
³³ Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble."
³⁴ Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
³⁵ Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples.
³⁶ Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there."
³⁷ And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
³⁸ Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."
³⁹ He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
⁴⁰ Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?
⁴¹ Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
⁴² Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."
⁴³ And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
⁴⁴ So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
⁴⁵ Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
⁴⁶ Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."
⁴⁷ And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.
⁴⁸ Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him."
⁴⁹ Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?" Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
⁵¹ And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
⁵² But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
⁵³ Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
⁵⁴ How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?"
⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize 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 those who had laid hold of 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 courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.
⁵⁹ Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death,
⁶⁰ but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two 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.' "
⁶² And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?"
⁶³ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!"
⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."
⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!
⁶⁶ What do you think?" They answered and said, "He is deserving of death."
⁶⁷ Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,
⁶⁸ saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?"
⁶⁹ Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."
⁷⁰ But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are saying."
⁷¹ And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth."
⁷² But again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!"
⁷³ And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you."
⁷⁴ Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.
⁷⁵ And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly.

Matthew chapter 26 niv

¹ When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,
² "As you know, the Passover is two days away?and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
³ Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
⁴ and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.
⁵ "But not during the festival," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."
⁶ While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,
⁷ a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
⁸ When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked.
⁹ "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
¹⁰ Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
¹¹ The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
¹² When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
¹³ Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
¹⁴ Then one of the Twelve?the one called Judas Iscariot?went to the chief priests
¹⁵ and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
¹⁶ From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
¹⁷ On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
¹⁸ He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.'?"
¹⁹ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
²⁰ When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
²¹ And while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me."
²² They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely you don't mean me, Lord?"
²³ Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.
²⁴ The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
²⁵ Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely you don't mean me, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "You have said so."
²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
²⁷ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.
²⁸ This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
²⁹ I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
³⁰ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
³¹ Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: "?'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
³³ Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
³⁴ "Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
³⁵ But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.
³⁶ Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
³⁸ Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.
⁴¹ "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
⁴² He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
⁴³ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.
⁴⁴ So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
⁴⁵ Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.
⁴⁶ Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."
⁴⁹ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
⁵⁰ Jesus replied, "Do what you came for, friend." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
⁵¹ With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
⁵² "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.
⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
⁵⁷ Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.
⁵⁸ But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
⁵⁹ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.
⁶⁰ But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
⁶¹ and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'?"
⁶² Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"
⁶³ But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God."
⁶⁴ "You have said so," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
⁶⁶ What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.
⁶⁷ Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him
⁶⁸ and said, "Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?"
⁶⁹ Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.
⁷⁰ But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.
⁷¹ Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."
⁷² He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"
⁷³ After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away."
⁷⁴ Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.
⁷⁵ Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Matthew chapter 26 esv

¹ When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,
² "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."
³ Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
⁴ and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.
⁵ But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people."
⁶ Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,
⁷ a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.
⁸ And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?
⁹ For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor."
¹⁰ But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.
¹¹ For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.
¹² In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.
¹³ Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."
¹⁴ Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
¹⁵ and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.
¹⁶ And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
¹⁷ Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
¹⁸ He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'"
¹⁹ And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
²⁰ When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.
²¹ And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."
²² And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?"
²³ He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me.
²⁴ The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."
²⁵ Judas, who would betray him, answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said so."
²⁶ Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."
²⁷ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you,
²⁸ for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
²⁹ I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
³⁰ And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
³¹ Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
³² But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee."
³³ Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away."
³⁴ Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."
³⁵ Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" And all the disciples said the same.
³⁶ Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray."
³⁷ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
³⁸ Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me."
³⁹ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."
⁴⁰ And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour?
⁴¹ Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
⁴² Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done."
⁴³ And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
⁴⁴ So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.
⁴⁵ Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
⁴⁶ Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."
⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize him."
⁴⁹ And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him.
⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
⁵¹ And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.
⁵² Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
⁵³ Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
⁵⁴ But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?"
⁵⁵ At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.
⁵⁶ But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.
⁵⁷ Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered.
⁵⁸ And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end.
⁵⁹ Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death,
⁶⁰ but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward
⁶¹ and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'"
⁶² And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?"
⁶³ But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."
⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy.
⁶⁶ What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death."
⁶⁷ Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him,
⁶⁸ saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?"
⁶⁹ Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean."
⁷⁰ But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean."
⁷¹ And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."
⁷² And again he denied it with an oath: "I do not know the man."
⁷³ After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you."
⁷⁴ Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed.
⁷⁵ And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

Matthew chapter 26 nlt

¹ When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,
² "As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
³ At that same time the leading priests and elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest,
⁴ plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him.
⁵ "But not during the Passover celebration," they agreed, "or the people may riot."
⁶ Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy.
⁷ While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.
⁸ The disciples were indignant when they saw this. "What a waste!" they said.
⁹ "It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor."
¹⁰ But Jesus, aware of this, replied, "Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me?
¹¹ You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.
¹² She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial.
¹³ I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed."
¹⁴ Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests
¹⁵ and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?" And they gave him thirty pieces of silver.
¹⁶ From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
¹⁷ On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?"
¹⁸ "As you go into the city," he told them, "you will see a certain man. Tell him, 'The Teacher says: My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.'"
¹⁹ So the disciples did as Jesus told them and prepared the Passover meal there.
²⁰ When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the Twelve.
²¹ While they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
²² Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, "Am I the one, Lord?"
²³ He replied, "One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me.
²⁴ For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!"
²⁵ Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, "Rabbi, am I the one?" And Jesus told him, "You have said it."
²⁶ As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it, for this is my body."
²⁷ And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, "Each of you drink from it,
²⁸ for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.
²⁹ Mark my words ? I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom."
³⁰ Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
³¹ On the way, Jesus told them, "Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, 'God will strike the Shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
³² But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there."
³³ Peter declared, "Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you."
³⁴ Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, Peter ? this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me."
³⁵ "No!" Peter insisted. "Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!" And all the other disciples vowed the same.
³⁶ Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, "Sit here while I go over there to pray."
³⁷ He took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed.
³⁸ He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
³⁹ He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."
⁴⁰ Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you watch with me even one hour?
⁴¹ Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!"
⁴² Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, "My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done."
⁴³ When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn't keep their eyes open.
⁴⁴ So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again.
⁴⁵ Then he came to the disciples and said, "Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look ? the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
⁴⁶ Up, let's be going. Look, my betrayer is here!"
⁴⁷ And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people.
⁴⁸ The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: "You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss."
⁴⁹ So Judas came straight to Jesus. "Greetings, Rabbi!" he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.
⁵⁰ Jesus said, "My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for." Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
⁵¹ But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest's slave, slashing off his ear.
⁵² "Put away your sword," Jesus told him. "Those who use the sword will die by the sword.
⁵³ Don't you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?
⁵⁴ But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?"
⁵⁵ Then Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn't you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day.
⁵⁶ But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures." At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.
⁵⁷ Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered.
⁵⁸ Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest's courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end.
⁵⁹ Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death.
⁶⁰ But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone's testimony. Finally, two men came forward
⁶¹ who declared, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'"
⁶² Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Well, aren't you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?"
⁶³ But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, "I demand in the name of the living God ? tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God."
⁶⁴ Jesus replied, "You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven."
⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, "Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy.
⁶⁶ What is your verdict?" "Guilty!" they shouted. "He deserves to die!"
⁶⁷ Then they began to spit in Jesus' face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him,
⁶⁸ jeering, "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?"
⁶⁹ Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, "You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean."
⁷⁰ But Peter denied it in front of everyone. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.
⁷¹ Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. "
⁷² Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. "I don't even know the man," he said.
⁷³ A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, "You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent."
⁷⁴ Peter swore, "A curse on me if I'm lying ? I don't know the man!" And immediately the rooster crowed.
⁷⁵ Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me." And he went away, weeping bitterly.