Matthew 26:31-56

New International Version

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial^(A)

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

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

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.”^(E)

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

Gethsemane^(G)

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

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

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

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^(P) 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^(Q)

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

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

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword,^(U) drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.^(V)

⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.^{(W) 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?^{(X) 54} But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled^(Y) 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,^(Z) and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”^(AA) Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.