Matthew 26

¹ When Jesus had finished all these words, 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, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas.

⁴ They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit and kill him.

⁵ But they said, “Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people.”

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

⁷ a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table.

⁸ But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?

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

¹⁰ However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me.

¹¹ For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.

¹² For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

¹³ Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her.”

¹⁴ Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests

¹⁵ and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you?” So they weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver.

¹⁶ From that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

¹⁷ Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” CCC

¹⁸ He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’”

¹⁹ The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.

²⁰ Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. CCC

²¹ As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”

²² They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?”

²³ He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me.

²⁴ The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.” Fathers

²⁵ Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.”

²⁶ As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” CCC · Fathers

²⁷ He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it, Fathers

²⁸ for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. CCC

²⁹ But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” CCC

³⁰ 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 tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ CCC

³² But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”

³³ But Peter answered him, “Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble.”

³⁴ Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, 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.” All of the disciples also said likewise. Fathers

³⁶ Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.” CCC

³⁷ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled.

³⁸ Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me.” CCC · Fathers

³⁹ He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.” CCC · Fathers

⁴⁰ He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour? CCC

⁴¹ Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” CCC · Fathers

⁴² Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done.” CCC

⁴³ He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

⁴⁴ He left them again, went away, and prayed a 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 betrayed into the hands of sinners.

⁴⁶ Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

⁴⁸ Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.”

⁴⁹ Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

⁵¹ 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 those who take the sword will die by the sword. CCC

⁵³ Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? CCC

⁵⁴ How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?” CCC

⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me.

⁵⁶ But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

⁵⁷ Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.

⁵⁸ But Peter followed him from a distance to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, to see the end.

⁵⁹ Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death,

⁶⁰ and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward

⁶¹ and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.’”

⁶² The high priest stood up and said to him, “Have you no answer? What is this that these testify against you?”

⁶³ But Jesus stayed silent. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.”

⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “You have said so. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.” CCC

⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy. CCC

⁶⁶ What do you think?” They answered, “He is worthy of death!” CCC

⁶⁷ Then they spat in his face and beat him with their fists, and some slapped him,

⁶⁸ saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who hit you?”

⁶⁹ Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, “You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!”

⁷⁰ But he denied it before them all, saying, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

⁷¹ When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him and said to those who were there, “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

⁷² Again he denied it with an oath, “I don’t know the man.”

⁷³ After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, “Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known.”

⁷⁴ Then he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately the rooster crowed.

⁷⁵ Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Then he went out and wept bitterly.

¹ AAnd it came to pass, when Jesus had ended all these words, he said to his disciples:

² You know that after two days shall be the pasch: and the Son of man shall be delivered up to be crucified.

³ Then were gathered together the chief priests and ancients of the people, into the court of the high priest, who was called Caiphas:

⁴ And they consulted together that by subtilty they might apprehend Jesus and put him to death.

⁵ But they said: Not on the festival day, lest perhaps there should be a tumult among the people.

⁶ And when Jesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper,

⁷ There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of precious ointment and poured it on his head as he was at table.

⁸ And the disciples seeing it had indignation, saying: To what purpose is this waste?

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

¹⁰ And Jesus knowing it, said to them: Why do you trouble this woman? For she hath wrought a good work upon me.

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

¹² For she in pouring this ointment on my body hath done it for my burial.

¹³ Amen I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done shall be told for a memory of her.

¹⁴ Then went one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests.

¹⁵ And said to them: What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver.

¹⁶ And from thenceforth he sought opportunity to betray him.

¹⁷ And on the first day of the Azymes, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the pasch? CCC

¹⁸ But Jesus said: Go ye into the city to a certain man and say to him: The master saith, My time is near at hand. With thee I make the pasch with my disciples.

¹⁹ And the disciples did as Jesus appointed to them: and they prepared the pasch.

²⁰ But when it was evening, he sat down with his twelve disciples. CCC

²¹ And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you that one of you is about to betray me.

²² And they being very much troubled began every one to say: Is it I, Lord?

²³ But he answering said: He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me.

²⁴ The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed. It were better for him, if that man had not been born. Fathers

²⁵ And Judas that betrayed him answering, said: Is it I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it.

²⁶ And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread and blessed and broke and gave to his disciples and said: Take ye and eat. This is my body. CCC · Fathers

²⁷ And taking the chalice, he gave thanks and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. Fathers

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

²⁹ And I say to you, I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father. CCC

³⁰ And a hymn being said, they went out unto mount Olivet.

³¹ Then Jesus saith to them: All you shall be scandalized in me this night. For it is written: I will strike the shepherd: and the sheep of the flock shall be dispersed. CCC

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

³³ And Peter answering, said to him: Although all shall be scandalized in thee, I will never be scandalized.

³⁴ Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee that in this night before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice.

³⁵ Peter saith to him: Yea, though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. And in like manner said all the disciples. Fathers

³⁶ Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani. And he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray. CCC

³⁷ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad.

³⁸ Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Stay you here and watch with me. CCC · Fathers

³⁹ And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt. CCC · Fathers

⁴⁰ And he cometh to his disciples and findeth them asleep. And he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me? CCC

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

⁴² Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done. CCC

⁴³ And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy.

⁴⁴ And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word.

⁴⁵ Then he cometh to his disciples and said to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest. Behold the hour is at hand: and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners.

⁴⁶ Rise: let us go. Behold he is at hand that will betray me.

⁴⁷ As he yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the ancients of the people.

⁴⁸ And he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he. Hold him fast.

⁴⁹ And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: Hail, Rabbi. And he kissed him.

⁵⁰ And Jesus said to him: Friend, whereto art thou come? Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and held him.

⁵¹ And behold one of them that were with Jesus, stretching forth his hand, drew out his sword: and striking the servant of the high priest, cut off his ear.

⁵² Then Jesus saith to him: Put up again thy sword into its place: for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword. CCC

⁵³ Thinkest thou that I cannot ask my Father, and he will give me presently more than twelve legions of angels? CCC

⁵⁴ How then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must be done? CCC

⁵⁵ In that same hour, Jesus said to the multitudes: You are come out, as it were to a robber, with swords and clubs to apprehend me. I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple: and you laid not hands on me.

⁵⁶ Now all this was done that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples, all leaving him, fled.

⁵⁷ But they holding Jesus led him to Caiphas the high priest, where the scribes and the ancients were assembled.

⁵⁸ And Peter followed him afar off, even to the court of the high priest, And going in, he sat with the servants, that he might see the end.

⁵⁹ And the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death.

⁶⁰ And they found not, whereas many false witnesses had come in. And last of all there came two false witnesses:

⁶¹ And they said: This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and after three days to rebuild it.

⁶² And the high priest rising up, said to him: Answerest thou nothing to the things which these witness against thee?

⁶³ But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said to him: I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us if thou be the Christ the Son of God.

⁶⁴ Jesus saith to him: Thou hast said it. Nevertheless I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God and coming in the clouds of heaven. CCC

⁶⁵ Then the high priest rent his garments, saying: He hath blasphemed: What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy. CCC

⁶⁶ What think you? But they answering, said: He is guilty of death. CCC

⁶⁷ Then did they spit in his face and buffeted him. And others struck his face with the palms of their hands,

⁶⁸ Saying: Prophesy unto us, O Christ. Who is he that struck thee?

⁶⁹ But Peter sat without in the court. And there came to him a servant maid, saying: Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean.

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

⁷¹ And as he went out of the gate, another maid saw him; and she saith to them that were there: This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.

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

⁷³ And after a little while, they came that stood by and said to Peter: Surely thou also art one of them. For even thy speech doth discover thee.

⁷⁴ Then he began to curse and to swear that he knew not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

⁷⁵ And Peter remembered the word of Jesus which he had said: Before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. And going forth, he wept bitterly.