Matthew 26:20-50

New International Version

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.”^(A)

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.^{(B) 24} The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him.^(C) 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,^(D) said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”^(E)

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it^(F) and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

²⁷ Then he took a cup,^(G) 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^[a] covenant,^(H) which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.^{(I) 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^(J) in my Father’s kingdom.”

³⁰ When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.^(K)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial^(L)

³¹ Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me,^(M) for it is written:

³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”^(O)

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.”^(P)

³⁵ But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you,^(Q) I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Gethsemane^(R)

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^(S) along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow^(T) to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”^(U)

³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup^(V) be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”^(W)

⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me^(X) for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.^(Y) 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.”^(Z)

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^(AA) has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus Arrested^(AB)

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas,^(AC) 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!”^(AD) and kissed him.

⁵⁰ Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”^[c](AE)

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.