Matthew 26
1 When Jesus had finished [saying] all those things, he said to [us] disciples,
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended all these words, he said to his disciples:
2 “You know that two days from now [we will celebrate] the Passover [festival]. [At that time] I, the one who came from heaven, will be handed over to {they will put me, the one who came from heaven, into the hands of} those who will nail me to a cross.”
You know that after two days shall be the pasch, and the son of man shall be delivered up to be crucified:
3 At the same time the chief priests and the Jewish elders gathered in the home of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas.
Then were gathered together the chief priests and ancients of the people into the court of the high priest, who was called Caiphas:
4 [There] they plotted how they could seize Jesus in some deceitful way so that they could have him executed.
And they consulted together, that by subtilty they might apprehend Jesus, and put him to death.
5 But they said, “[We must] not [do it] during the [Passover] festival, because [if we do it then], the people might riot.”
But they said: Not on the festival day, lest perhaps there should be a tumult among the people.
6 While Jesus [and we] were in Bethany [village] in the home of Simon, whom [Jesus had healed of] leprosy,
And when Jesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper,
7 a woman came to him. She [was carrying] a stone jar [containing] very expensive perfume. [To show how much she appreciated] Jesus, she poured the perfume on his head as he was eating.
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 When [we] disciples saw that, [some of us] were angry. [One of us] said, “(It is terrible that this perfume was wasted!/Why was this perfume wasted?) [RHQ]
And the disciples seeing it, had indignation, saying: To what purpose is this waste?
9 [We] could have sold it and gotten a lot of money for it! Then the money could have been given {[we] could have given the money} to poor people.”
For this might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
10 Jesus knew [what we were saying. So he] said to us, “(You should not be bothering this woman!/Why are you bothering this woman?) [RHQ] She has done a beautiful thing to me.
And Jesus knowing it, said to them: Why do you trouble this woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
11 [Keep in mind that] you will always have poor people among you, [so you can help them whenever you want to]. But I will not always be with you, [so it is good for her to show now that she appreciates me!]
For the poor you have always with you: but me you have not always.
12 When she poured this perfume on my body, [it was as if she knew that I am going to die soon. And it is as if she] has anointed my body for being buried.
For she in pouring this ointment upon my body, hath done it for my burial.
13 I will tell you this: Wherever this good message [about me] is preached {people preach this good message about me} throughout the world, those who preach it will tell what this woman has done, [and as a result] people will [always] remember her.”
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 Judas Iscariot (OR, Judas, the man from Kerioth [Town]), [even though he was] one of [us] twelve [disciples], went to the chief priests.
Then went one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests,
15 He asked them, “If I enable you to seize [Jesus], how much [money] are you willing to give me?” They [agreed to give him] 30 silver coins. So they counted out the coins and [gave them] to him.
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 From that time Judas watched for an opportunity to enable them to seize [Jesus].
And from thenceforth he sought opportunity to betray him.
17 On the first day [of the week-long festival] (when [we Jews ate] bread which had no yeast in it/of Unleavened Bread), [we] disciples went to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to prepare [the meal for] the Passover [celebration] so that [we can] eat [it with] you?”
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?
18 [In reply], he [gave instructions to two disciples about where they should go. He] said [to them], “Go into [the city] to a man [with whom I have previously arranged this]. Tell him that the teacher says, ‘The time [MTY] [that I told you about] is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover [meal] with my disciples at your house, [and I have sent these two to prepare the meal].’”
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 So the [two] disciples did as Jesus told them. They [went and] prepared the Passover [meal in that man’s house].
And the disciples did as Jesus appointed to them, and they prepared the pasch.
20 When it was evening, Jesus was eating the meal with [us] twelve disciples.
But when it was evening, he sat down with his twelve disciples.
21 While we were eating, he said [to us], “Listen carefully to this: One of you is going to enable [my enemies] to seize me.”
And whilst they were eating, he said: Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me.
22 [We] were very sad. We began to say to him, one after the other, “Lord, (it is surely not I!/I’m not the one, am I?) [RHQ]”
And they being very much troubled, began every one to say: Is it I, Lord?
23 He replied, “The one who will enable my enemies to seize me is one of you who is dipping bread [MTY] into [the sauce in] the dish along with me.
But he answering, said: He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, he shall betray me.
24 [It is certain that] I, the one who came from heaven, will [die], because that is what has been written {[the prophets] have written} about me. But there will be terrible punishment for the man who enables [my enemies] to seize me! It would be better for that man if he had never been born!”
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.
25 Then Judas, the one who was going to betray him, said, “Teacher, (surely it is not I!/I’m not the one, am I?) [RHQ]” Jesus replied, “Yes, you are the one.”
And Judas that betrayed him, answering, said: Is it I, Rabbi? He saith to him: Thou hast said it.
26 While we were eating, Jesus took [a small loaf of] bread and thanked God for it. He broke it [into pieces] and gave it to [us] disciples, and said, “Take this [bread and] eat [it]. [It represents] my body.”
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.
27 Later he took a cup [of wine] and thanked [God for it]. Then he gave it to us, saying, “Drink some [of the wine in this cup], all of you.
And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this.
28 [The wine in] this cup [represents] my blood, which will soon flow [from my body. With] my blood I [will sign] the new agreement [that God is making] to forgive the sins of many [people].
For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins.
29 Note this carefully: I will not drink wine in this way any more until the time when I drink it with you with a new [meaning. That will happen] when my Father [enables me to begin] to rule as king.”
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.
30 After we sang a hymn, we started out towards Olive [Tree] Hill.
And a hymn being said, they went out unto mount Olivet.
31 [On the way], Jesus told us, “This night all of you will desert me because of [what will happen to] me! [This is certain to happen] because [these words that God said] are written [in the Scriptures: ] ‘I will [cause] the shepherd to be killed, and [all] the sheep will be scattered {scatter}.’
Then Jesus said 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.
32 But after I have [died and] become alive again, I will go ahead of you to Galilee [district and meet you there].”
But after I shall be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
33 Peter replied, “Perhaps all [the other disciples] will desert you [when they see what happens to you], but I [certainly] will never [leave you]!”
And Peter answering, said to him: Although all shall be scandalized in thee, I will never be scandalized.
34 Jesus replied to him, “The truth is that this very night, before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know me!”
Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee, that in this night before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice.
35 Peter said to him, “Even if they kill me [while I am defending you], I will never say that I do not know you!” All [the rest of us] disciples also said the same [thing].
Peter saith to him: Yea, though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. And in like manner said all the disciples.
36 Then Jesus went with us to a place that is called {that people call} Gethsemane. There he said to [most of] us, “Stay here while I go over there and pray.”
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.
37 He took Peter, James, and John with him. He became extremely distressed.
And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad.
38 Then he said to them, “I [SYN] am very sorrowful, so much so that I [feel as if I were] about to die! Remain here and stay awake with me!”
Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here, and watch with me.
39 After going a little further, he threw himself face down [on the ground]. He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible [MTY], do not make me have to endure the suffering [that is coming] now. But do not do as I want. Instead, do as you want!”
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.
40 Then he returned to the [three] disciples and saw that they were sleeping. He [woke] Peter and said to him, “(I am disappointed that you [men fell asleep and] were not able to stay awake with me for just a short time!/Why were you men not able to stay awake with me for just one hour?) [RHQ]
And he cometh to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, and he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me?
41 You must keep alert and pray so that you can resist when you are tempted {something tempts you}. You want [to do what I tell you], but you [SYN] are not strong enough [to actually do it].”
Watch ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak.
42 He went away a second time. He prayed, “My Father, if it is necessary for me to suffer [LIT], may what you want happen!”
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.
43 When he returned to the [three disciples], he saw that they were asleep [again]. They could not keep their eyes open [IDM].
And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy.
44 So he left them and went away again. He prayed the third time, saying the same thing [that he had prayed before].
And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word.
45 Then he returned to us disciples. He [woke] us [up and] said to us, “(I am disappointed that you are still sleeping and resting!/Why are you still sleeping and resting?) [RHQ] [Look] Someone is about to enable sinful [men] to seize [me], the one who came from heaven!
Then he cometh to his disciples, and saith 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 Get up! Let’s go [to meet them] Here comes the one who is enabling them to seize me!”
Rise, let us go: behold he is at hand that will betray me.
47 While [Jesus] was still speaking, Judas [arrived. Even though he was] one of [us] twelve [disciples], he came [to enable Jesus’ enemies to seize him]. A large crowd carrying swords and clubs was with him. They had been sent by the chief priests and elders {the chief priests and [Jewish] elders had sent them}.
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 Judas had [previously] arranged to give them a signal, saying, “The man whom I will kiss is the one [you want]. Seize him!”
And he that betrayed him, gave them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he, hold him fast.
49 He immediately went to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Teacher!” Then he kissed Jesus [on the neck/cheek].
And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: Hail, Rabbi. And he kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, “Friend, is it [to kiss me] that you are here?” (OR, “Do what you have come for!”) Then [the men who came with Judas] stepped forward and seized Jesus.
And Jesus said to him: Friend, whereto art thou come? Then they came up, and laid hands on Jesus, and held him.
51 Suddenly, one of the men who was with Jesus pulled his sword out [of its sheath]. He struck the servant of the high priest [to kill him], [but only] cut off his ear.
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 Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its sheath! All those who try to kill others with a sword will themselves be killed with a sword!
Then Jesus saith to him: Put up again thy sword into its place: for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53 Do you think that [RHQ] if I asked my Father, he would not immediately send more than (twelve armies of/72,000) angels to help me?
Thinkest thou that I cannot ask my Father, and he will give me presently more than twelve legions of angels?
54 [But if I did that, what the prophets] have written in the Scriptures [about what will happen to the Messiah] would not be fulfilled {happen} [RHQ].”
How then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must be done?
55 At that time Jesus said to the crowd [that was seizing him], “(It is ridiculous that you have come [here] to seize me with swords and clubs, as [if I were] a bandit!/Have you come here to seize me with swords and clubs, as if I were a bandit?) [RHQ] Day after day I sat in the Temple [courtyard], teaching [the people]. Why did you not arrest me [then]?
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 But all this is happening to fulfill what the prophets [have written in] the Scriptures [about me].” Then all of us disciples deserted Jesus and ran away.
Now all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples all leaving him, fled.
57 The men who had seized Jesus took him [to the house where] Caiaphas, the high priest, [lived]. The men who taught the [Jewish] laws and the [Jewish] elders had already gathered [there].
But they holding Jesus led him to Caiphas the high priest, where the scribes and the ancients were assembled.
58 Peter followed [Jesus] at a distance. He came to the high priest’s courtyard. He entered [the courtyard] and sat down with the guards to see what would happen.
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 The chief priests and the rest of the [Jewish] Council were trying to find people who would tell lies about Jesus so that they could [convince the Roman authorities to] execute him.
And the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death:
60 But even though many people spoke lies about him, they did not find anyone [who said anything that was useful]. Finally two men came forward
And they found not, whereas many false witnesses had come in. And last of all there came two false witnesses:
61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy God’s Temple and to rebuild it within three days.’”
And they said: This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and after three days to rebuild it.
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to reply? What [do you say about] these things that they are saying [to accuse] you?”
And the high priest rising up, said to him: Answerest thou nothing to the things which these witness against thee?
63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I command you to tell us [the truth], knowing that the all-powerful God [is listening to you]: Are you the Messiah, (the Son of God/the man who is also God)?”
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 replied, “Yes, [it is as] you say. But I will also say this to all of you: Some day you will see [me], the one who came from heaven, sitting beside [MTY] Almighty [God], and ruling. You will also see me coming on the clouds [from] heaven!”
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.
65 Then the high priest tore his outer garment. [That was the custom to show that he was shocked to hear Jesus say that he was equal to God]. Then he said, “This man has insulted God! He claims to be equal with God! (We certainly do not need anyone else to testify [against this man]!/Why should we seek any more people who will testify [against this man]?) [RHQ] You heard what he said!
Then the high priests rent his garments, saying: He hath blasphemed; what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy:
66 What have you decided?” [The Jewish leaders] replied, “[According to our laws], he [is guilty and] deserves to be executed!”
What think you? But they answering, said: He is guilty of death.
67 Then [some of them] spat in his face. [Others] struck him with their fists. Others, [after they blindfolded him], slapped him
Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him: and others struck his face with the palms of their hands,
68 and said, “[Since you claim that] [IRO] [you are] the Messiah, tell us who hit you!”
Saying: Prophesy unto us, O Christ, who is he that struck thee?
69 Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came up to him [and looked at him]. She said, “You also were with Jesus, [that man] from Galilee [district]!”
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 while everyone there was listening, he denied it. He said, “I do not know what you are talking about!”
But he denied before them all, saying: I know not what thou sayest.
71 Then he went out to the gateway of the courtyard. Another servant girl saw him and said to the people who were standing nearby, “This man was with Jesus, [the man] from Nazareth.”
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 But [Peter] again denied it. He said, “May God punish me [if I am lying]! I [tell you], I do not even know that man!”
And again he denied with an oath, I know not the man.
73 After a little while, one of the people who were standing there approached Peter and said to him, “It is certain that you are one of those [who were with that man]. We can tell from your accent that you [are from Galilee.”]
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 Peter began to proclaim loudly that God should curse him [if he was lying]. He asked God in heaven to witness [that he was telling the truth] and said, “I do not know that man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.
Then he began to curse and to swear that he knew not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
75 Then Peter remembered the words that Jesus had spoken [to him], “Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know me.” And Peter went [out of the courtyard], crying because he was very sad [about what he had done].
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.
