Matthew 26

And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

1Jesus finished saying all these things. Then he spoke to his disciples, his close followers.

2Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

2He said, "You know the Passover feast is two days away. The Son of Man will be handed over to be killed on a cross." Son of Man was the name Jesus used for himself.

3Then 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,

3Then the chief priests, the teachers of God's law, and the leaders of the people met. They met at the house of the high priest, the top priest, named Caiaphas.

4And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

4They made a plan to grab Jesus in a sneaky way and kill him.

5But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

5But they said, "Not during the feast. The people might get angry and start a riot."

6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

6Jesus was in the town of Bethany. He was in the house of Simon the leper, a man who had a bad skin disease.

7There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

7A woman came to him with a stone jar of costly perfume. She poured it on his head while he sat eating.

8But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

8The disciples saw this and were upset. They said, "Why waste it like that?"

9For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

9They said, "This perfume could have been sold for a lot of money. The money could have been given to poor people."

10When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

10Jesus knew what they were saying. He said, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a good thing for me."

11For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

11"You will always have poor people with you. But you will not always have me."

12For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

12"She poured this perfume on my body to get it ready for burial."

13Verily 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.

13"I tell you the truth. This good news will be told all over the world. Wherever it is told, people will also tell what she did, to remember her."

14Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

14Then one of the twelve close followers went to the chief priests. His name was Judas Iscariot.

15And 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.

15He asked, "What will you pay me if I hand him over to you?" They agreed to give him thirty silver coins.

NoteThirty silver coins was a large amount of money, about what a worker earned in three or four months.

16And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

16From that time on, Judas watched for a good chance to hand Jesus over.

17Now 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?

17It was the first day of the Feast of Bread Without Yeast. The disciples asked Jesus, "Where should we get the Passover meal ready for you?"

18And 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.

18He said, "Go into the city to a certain man. Tell him the Teacher says, 'My time is near. I will eat the Passover meal at your house with my followers.'"

19And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

19The disciples did what Jesus told them. They got the Passover meal ready.

20Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

20When evening came, Jesus sat down to eat with the twelve.

21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

21While they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth. One of you will hand me over."

22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

22They were very sad. One after another they asked him, "Lord, is it me?"

23And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

23He answered, "The one who dips his hand in the bowl with me will hand me over."

24The 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.

24"The Son of Man will go just as God's writings said he would. But it will be terrible for the man who hands him over. It would be better for that man if he had never been born."

25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

25Then Judas, the one who would hand him over, said, "Teacher, is it me?" Jesus said, "You have said it yourself."

26And 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.

26While they ate, Jesus took bread and thanked God for it. He broke it and gave it to his followers. He said, "Take it and eat. This is my body."

27And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

27Then he took the cup of wine and thanked God. He gave it to them and said, "All of you drink from it."

28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

28"This is my blood, and it begins God's new promise. It is poured out for many people, so their sins can be forgiven."

29But 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.

29"I tell you, I will not drink this wine again for now. I will drink it new with you someday in my Father's kingdom."

30And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

30They sang a song together. Then they went out to the Mount of Olives, a hill near the city.

31Then 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.

31Then Jesus said, "Tonight all of you will run away from me. God's writings say, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will scatter.'"

NoteThe old King James wording says the followers will be "offended." That old word does not mean hurt feelings. It means they will turn away and run.

32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

32"But after I am raised back to life, I will go ahead of you to Galilee."

33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

33Peter said to him, "Even if everyone else runs away from you, I never will."

34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

34Jesus said, "I tell you the truth. Tonight, before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know me."

35Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

35Peter said, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never say that." All the other followers said the same thing.

36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

36Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane. He said, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."

37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. He began to feel very sad and troubled.

38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

38He said to them, "My heart is so sad that I feel like I could die. Stay here and stay awake with me."

39And 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.

39He walked a little farther. He lay face down and prayed, "My Father, if it can be done, take this cup of suffering away from me. But do what you want, not what I want."

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

40He came back and found his followers asleep. He said to Peter, "Could you not stay awake with me for one hour?"

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

41"Stay awake and pray, so you are not pulled into doing wrong. Your heart wants to do right, but your body is weak."

42He 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.

42He went away a second time and prayed. He said, "My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away, and I must drink it, then let what you want happen."

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

43He came back and found them asleep again. Their eyes were very heavy.

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

44So he left them and went away again. He prayed a third time and said the same words.

45Then 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.

45Then he came to his followers. He said, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the time has come. The Son of Man is handed over to sinful men."

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

46"Get up. Let's go. Look, here comes the man who is handing me over."

47And 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.

47While he was still talking, Judas came. A big crowd came with him, carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests and the leaders of the people had sent them.

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

48Judas had given the crowd a signal. He said, "The man I kiss is the one. Grab him and hold him."

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

49He went straight to Jesus and said, "Hello, Teacher." Then he kissed him.

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

50Jesus said, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then the men came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

51And, 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.

51One of the men with Jesus reached out and pulled his sword. He struck the high priest's servant and cut off his ear.

52Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

52Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back where it belongs. Everyone who takes up a sword will die by a sword."

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

53"Don't you know I could ask my Father for help? He would send me more than twelve armies of angels right away."

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

54"But then how would God's writings come true? They say this must happen."

55In 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.

55Then Jesus said to the crowd, "Did you bring swords and clubs, as if I were a robber? Every day I sat teaching in the temple, and you did not arrest me."

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

56"All this happened so the words of the prophets would come true." Prophets were people who told what God said. Then all his followers ran away and left him.

57And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

57The men who arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest. The teachers of the law and the leaders were meeting there.

58But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

58Peter followed far behind, all the way to the high priest's yard. He went in and sat with the guards to see what would happen.

NoteThe King James text says "palace." It means the open yard inside the high priest's house, not a king's palace.

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

59The chief priests and the whole council looked for people to tell lies about Jesus. They wanted a reason to put him to death.

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

60But they did not find any. Many people came and told lies, but it was not enough. At last two men came forward.

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

61They said, "This man said, 'I am able to tear down God's temple and build it again in three days.'"

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

62The high priest stood up. He said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What about what these men say about you?"

63But 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.

63But Jesus stayed quiet. The high priest said, "I put you under oath before the living God. Tell us if you are the Christ, the king God promised to send, the Son of God."

64Jesus 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.

64Jesus said, "You have said it yourself. But I tell you all, from now on you will see the Son of Man. He will sit at the right side of God, the place of power. He will come on the clouds of the sky."

65Then 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.

65Then the high priest tore his own clothes. He said, "He has said an insulting thing about God! We do not need more witnesses. You just heard him."

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

66He asked, "What do you think?" They answered, "He should be put to death."

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

67Then they spit in his face and hit him with their fists. Others slapped him.

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

68They said, "Tell us, Christ! Who was it that hit you?"

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

69Peter was sitting outside in the yard. A servant girl came to him. She said, "You were with Jesus from Galilee too."

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

70But he said it was not true, right in front of everyone. He said, "I do not know what you are talking about."

71And 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.

71He went out to the gate. Another servant girl saw him. She said to the people there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."

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

72Again he said it was not true. This time he swore it. He said, "I do not know the man!"

73And 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.

73A little later, the people standing there came to Peter. They said, "You really are one of them. The way you talk shows it."

NoteThe King James text says Peter's speech "bewrayeth" him. That old word means gives him away. The way he talked showed he came from Galilee.

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

74Then Peter began to curse and swear. He said, "I do not know the man!" Right then a rooster crowed.

75And 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.

75Peter remembered what Jesus had told him. Jesus had said, "Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know me." Peter went outside and cried hard.