Matthew 26

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Jesus had now finished al he wanted to say, and he told his disciples,	1 When Jesus finished all these words, he said to his disciples,
2 'It wil be Passover, as you know, in two days' time, and the Son of man wil be handed over to becrucified.'	2 "You know that in two days' time it will be Passover, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whosename was Caiaphas,	3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
4 and made plans to arrest Jesus by some trick and have him put to death.	4 and they consulted together to arrest Jesus by treachery and put him to death.
5 They said, however, 'It must not be during the festivities; there must be no disturbance among thepeople.'	5 But they said, "Not during the festival, that there may not be a riot among the people."
6 Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon, a man who had suffered from a virulent skin-disease,when	6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,
7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and poured it on his head ashe was at table.	7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and poured it on his head while he was reclining at table.
8 When they saw this, the disciples said indignantly, 'Why this waste?	8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and said, "Why this waste?
9 This could have been sold for a high price and the money given the poor.'	9 It could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor."
10 But Jesus noticed this and said, 'Why are you upsetting the woman? What she has done for me isindeed a good work!	10 Since Jesus knew this, he said to them, "Why do you make trouble for the woman? She has done a good thing for me.
11 You have the poor with you always, but you wil not always have me.	11 The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me.
12 When she poured this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.	12 In pouring this perfumed oil upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
13 In truth I tel you, wherever in al the world this gospel is proclaimed, what she has done will be toldas well, in remembrance of her.'	13 Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be spoken of, in memory of her."
14 Then one of the Twelve, the man cal ed Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests	14 Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscar iot, went to the chief priests
15 and said, 'What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?' They paid him thirty silverpieces,	15 and said, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver,
16 and from then onwards he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.	16 and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.
17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, 'Where do you want usto make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?'	17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
18 He said, 'Go to a certain man in the city and say to him, "The Master says: My time is near. It is atyour house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples." '	18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The teacher says, "My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples."'"
19 The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.	19 The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.
20 When evening came he was at table with the Twelve.	20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve.
21 And while they were eating he said, 'In truth I tell you, one of you is about to betray me.'	21 And while they were eating, he said, "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me."
22 They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, 'Not me, Lord, surely?'	22 Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, "Surely it is not I, Lord?"
23 He answered, 'Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me wil betray me.	23 He said in reply, "He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me.
24 The Son of man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom theSon of man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!'	24 The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born."
25 Judas, who was to betray him, asked in his turn, 'Not me, Rabbi, surely?' Jesus answered, 'It is youwho say it.'	25 Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" He answered, "You have said so."
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gaveit to the disciples. 'Take it and eat,' he said, 'this is my body.'	26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body."
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he handed it to them saying, 'Drink from this, allof you,	27 Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you,
28 for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.	28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.
29 From now on, I tel you, I shal never again drink wine until the day I drink the new wine with you inthe kingdom of my Father.'	29 I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father."
30 After the psalms had been sung they left for the Mount of Olives.	30 Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
31 Then Jesus said to them, 'You wil al fall away from me tonight, for the scripture says: I shal strikethe shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered,	31 Then Jesus said to them, "This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed';
32 but after my resurrection I shal go ahead of you to Galilee.'	32 but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee."
33 At this, Peter said to him, 'Even if al fal away from you, I wil never fal away.'	33 Peter said to him in reply, "Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be."
34 Jesus answered him, 'In truth I tel you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will have disownedme three times.'	34 Jesus said to him, "Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times."
35 Peter said to him, 'Even if I have to die with you, I wil never disown you.' And al the disciples saidthe same.	35 Peter said to him, "Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you." And all the disciples spoke likewise.
36 Then Jesus came with them to a plot of land called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, 'Stayhere while I go over there to pray.'	36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. And he began to feel sadness and anguish.	37 He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress.
38 Then he said to them, 'My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here and stay awake with me.'	38 Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me."
39 And going on a little further he fel on his face and prayed. 'My Father,' he said, 'if it is possible, letthis cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it.'	39 He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will."
40 He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, 'So you had not thestrength to stay awake with me for one hour?	40 When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?
41 Stay awake, and pray not to be put to the test. The spirit is willing enough, but human nature isweak.'	41 Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
42 Again, a second time, he went away and prayed: 'My Father,' he said, 'if this cup cannot pass by, butI must drink it, your wil be done!'	42 Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, "My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!"
43 And he came back again and found them sleeping, their eyes were so heavy.	43 Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open.
44 Leaving them there, he went away again and prayed for the third time, repeating the same words.	44 He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again.
45 Then he came back to the disciples and said to them, 'You can sleep on now and have your rest.Look, the hour has come when the Son of man is to be betrayed into the hands of sinners.	45 Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.
46 Get up! Let us go! Look, my betrayer is not far away.'	46 Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand."
47 And suddenly while he was stil speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared, and with him a largenumber of men armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people.	47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
48 Now the traitor had arranged a sign with them saying, 'The one I kiss, he is the man. Arrest him.'	48 His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, "The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him."
49 So he went up to Jesus at once and said, 'Greetings, Rabbi,' and kissed him.	49 Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and he kissed him.
50 Jesus said to him, 'My friend, do what you are here for.' Then they came forward, seized Jesus andarrested him.	50 Jesus answered him, "Friend, do what you have come for." Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.
51 And suddenly, one of the fol owers of Jesus grasped his sword and drew it; he struck the high priest'sservant and cut off his ear.	51 And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus put his hand to his sword, drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear.
52 Jesus then said, 'Put your sword back, for al who draw the sword wil die by the sword.	52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
53 Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, who would promptly send more than twelvelegions of angels to my defence?	53 Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But then, how would the scriptures be fulfil ed that say this is the way it must be?'	54 But then how would the scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?"
55 It was at this time that Jesus said to the crowds, 'Am I a bandit, that you had to set out to capture mewith swords and clubs? I sat teaching in the Temple day after day and you never laid a hand on me.'	55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me.
56 Now al this happened to fulfil the prophecies in scripture. Then al the disciples deserted him and ranaway.	56 But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.
57 The men who had arrested Jesus led him off to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where thescribes and the elders were assembled.	57 Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
58 Peter followed him at a distance right to the high priest's palace, and he went in and sat down withthe attendants to see what the end would be.	58 Peter was following him at a distance as far as the high priest's courtyard, and going inside he sat down with the servants to see the outcome.
59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus, however false,on which they might have him executed.	59 The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death,
60 But they could not find any, though several lying witnesses came forward. Eventually two cameforward	60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
61 and made a statement, 'This man said, "I have power to destroy the Temple of God and in three daysbuild it up." '	61 who stated, "This man said, 'I can destroy the temple of God and within three days rebuild it.'"
62 The high priest then rose and said to him, 'Have you no answer to that? What is this evidence thesemen are bringing against you?'	62 The high priest rose and addressed him, "Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?"
63 But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, 'I put you on oath by the living God to tel us ifyou are the Christ, the Son of God.'	63 But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, "I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God."
64 Jesus answered him, 'It is you who say it. But, I tel you that from this time onward you wil see theSon of man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.'	64 Jesus said to him in reply, "You have said so. But I tell you: From now on you will see 'the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power' and 'coming on the clouds of heaven.'"
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, 'He has blasphemed. What need of witnesses have wenow? There! You have just heard the blasphemy.	65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy;
66 What is your opinion?' They answered, 'He deserves to die.'	66 what is your opinion?" They said in reply, "He deserves to die!"
67 Then they spat in his face and hit him with their fists; others said as they struck him,	67 Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him,
68 'Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit you then?'	68 saying, "Prophesy for us, Messiah: who is it that struck you?"
69 Meanwhile Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came up to him saying, 'You,too, were with Jesus the Galilean.'	69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean."
70 But he denied it in front of them al . 'I do not know what you are talking about,' he said.	70 But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about!"
71 When he went out to the gateway another servant-girl saw him and said to the people there, 'Thisman was with Jesus the Nazarene.'	71 As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazorean."
72 And again, with an oath, he denied it, 'I do not know the man.'	72 Again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man!"
73 A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, 'You are certainly one of them too! Why, youraccent gives you away.'	73 A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away."
74 Then he started cursing and swearing, 'I do not know the man.' And at once the cock crowed,	74 At that he began to curse and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately a cock crowed.
75 and Peter remembered what Jesus had said, 'Before the cock crows you wil have disowned methree times.' And he went outside and wept bitterly.	75 Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: "Before the cock crows you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly.