Matthew 26:45-66

New International Version

⁴⁵ Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour^(A) 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^(B)

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

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

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

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

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin^(M)

⁵⁷ Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas^(N) 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.^(O) He entered and sat down with the guards^(P) to see the outcome.

⁵⁹ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin^(Q) 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^(R) came forward.

Finally two^(S) came forward ⁶¹ and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”^(T)

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.^(U)

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath^(V) by the living God:^(W) Tell us if you are the Messiah,^(X) the Son of God.”^(Y)

⁶⁴ “You have said so,”^(Z) 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^(AA) and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^[b](AB)

⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothes^(AC) 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,”^(AD) they answered.