Matthew 26
1 When Jesus had finished [saying] all those things, he said to [us] disciples,
When Jesus had ended all these discourses, 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 in two days' time the Passover comes. And the Son of Man will 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 the High Priests and Elders of the People assembled in the court of the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas,
4 [There] they plotted how they could seize Jesus in some deceitful way so that they could have him executed.
and consulted how to get Jesus into their power by stratagem 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 during the Festival, lest there be a riot among the people."
6 While Jesus [and we] were in Bethany [village] in the home of Simon, whom [Jesus had healed of] leprosy,
Now when Jesus was come to Bethany and was at 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.
a woman came to Him with a jar of very costly, sweet-scented ointment, which she poured over His head as He reclined 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]
"Why such waste?" indignantly exclaimed the disciples;
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 a considerable sum, and the money 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.
But Jesus heard it, and said to them, "Why are you vexing her? For she has done a most gracious act towards 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!]
The poor you always have 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.
In pouring this ointment over me, her object was to prepare me for 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.”
In solemn truth I tell you that wherever in the whole world this Good News shall be proclaimed, this deed of hers shall be spoken of in 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.
At that time one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the High 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, "What are you willing to give me if I betray him to you?" So they weighed out to him thirty shekels,
16 From that time Judas watched for an opportunity to enable them to seize [Jesus].
and from that moment he was on the look out for an 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?”
On the first day of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus with the question, "Where shall we make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
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].’”
"Go into the city," He replied, "to a certain man, and tell him, 'The Teacher says, My time is close at hand. It is at your house that I shall keep the Passover 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].
The disciples did as Jesus directed them, and got the Passover ready.
20 When it was evening, Jesus was eating the meal with [us] twelve disciples.
When evening came, He was at table with the 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 the meal was proceeding, when Jesus said, "In solemn truth I tell you that one of you will 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]”
Intensely grieved they began one after another to ask Him, "Can it be I, Master?"
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.
"The one who has dipped his fingers in the bowl with me," He answered, "is the man who will 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 is indeed going as is written concerning Him; but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had been a happy thing for that man if he had never 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.”
Then Judas, the disciple who was betraying Him, asked, "Can it be I, Rabbi?" "It is you," He replied.
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.”
During the meal Jesus took a Passover biscuit, blessed it and broke it. He then gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it: it 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 He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you;
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 which is to be poured out for many for the remission of sins--the blood which ratifies the Covenant.
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.”
I tell you that I will never again take the produce of the vine till that day when I shall drink the new wine with you in my Father's Kingdom."
30 After we sang a hymn, we started out towards Olive [Tree] Hill.
So they sang the hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
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 said Jesus, "This night all of you will stumble and fail in your fidelity to me; for it is written, 'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered in all directions.'
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 have risen to life 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]!”
"All may stumble and fail," said Peter, "but I never will."
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!”
"In solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that this very night, before the cock crows, you will three times disown me."
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].
"Even if I must die with you," declared Peter, "I will never disown you." In like manner protested 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 to a place called Gethsemane. And He said to the disciples, "Sit down here, whilst I go yonder and there pray."
37 He took Peter, James, and John with him. He became extremely distressed.
And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zabdi. Then He began to be full of anguish and distress,
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!”
and He said to them, "My soul is crushed with anguish to the very point of death; wait here, and keep awake 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!”
Going forward a short distance He fell on His face and prayed. "My Father," He said, "if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou willest."
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]
Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and He said to Peter, "Alas, none of you could keep awake with me for even a single hour!
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].”
Keep awake, and pray that you may not enter into temptation: the spirit is right willing, but the body is frail."
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 a second time He went away and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is impossible for this cup to pass without my drinking 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].
He came and again found them asleep, for they were very tired.
44 So he left them and went away again. He prayed the third time, saying the same thing [that he had prayed before].
So He left them, and went away once more and prayed a third time, again using the same words.
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 came to the disciples and said, "Sleep on and rest. See, the moment is close at hand when the Son of Man is to be betrayed into the hands of sinful men.
46 Get up! Let’s go [to meet them] Here comes the one who is enabling them to seize me!”
Rouse yourselves. Let us be going. My betrayer is close at hand."
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}.
He had scarcely finished speaking when Judas came--one of the Twelve--accompanied by a great crowd of men armed with swords and bludgeons, sent by the High Priests and Elders 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!”
Now the betrayer had agreed upon a sign with them, to direct them. He had said, "The one whom I kiss is the man: lay hold of him."
49 He immediately went to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Teacher!” Then he kissed Jesus [on the neck/cheek].
So he went straight to Jesus and said, "Peace to you, Rabbi!" And he kissed Him eagerly.
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.
"Friend," said Jesus, "carry out your intention." Then they came and laid their hands on Jesus and seized Him firmly.
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.
But one of those with Jesus drew his sword and struck the High Priest's servant, cutting 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!
"Put back your sword again," said Jesus, "for all who draw the sword shall perish by 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?
Or do you suppose I cannot entreat my Father and He would instantly send to my help 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].”
In that case how are the Scriptures to be fulfilled which declare that thus it must be?"
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]?
Then said Jesus to the crowds, "Have you come out as if to fight with a robber, with swords and bludgeons to apprehend me? Day after day I have been sitting teaching in the Temple, and you did not arrest 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.
But all this has taken place in order that the writings of the Prophets may be fulfilled." At this point the disciples all left Him and 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 the officers who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the High Priest, at whose house the Scribes and the Elders had 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 kept following Him at a distance, till he came even to the court of the High Priest's palace, where he entered and sat down among the officers to see the issue.
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.
Meanwhile the High Priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to 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
but they could find none, although many false witnesses came forward. At length there came two
61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy God’s Temple and to rebuild it within three days.’”
who testified, "This man said, 'I am able to pull down the Sanctuary of God and three days afterwards to build a new one.'"
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?”
Then the High Priest stood up and asked Him, "Have you no answer to make? What is it these men are saying in evidence against you?"
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)?”
Jesus however remained silent. Again the High Priest addressed Him. "In the name of the ever-living God," he said, "I now put you on your oath. Tell us whether you are 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!”
"I am He," replied Jesus. "But I tell you that, later on, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Omnipotence, and coming on the clouds of the sky."
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 Priest tore his robes and exclaimed, "Impious language! What further need have we of witnesses! See, you have now heard the impiety.
66 What have you decided?” [The Jewish leaders] replied, “[According to our laws], he [is guilty and] deserves to be executed!”
What is your verdict?" "He deserves to die," they replied.
67 Then [some of them] spat in his face. [Others] struck him with their fists. Others, [after they blindfolded him], slapped him
Then they spat in His face, and struck Him--some with the fist, some with the open hand--
68 and said, “[Since you claim that] [IRO] [you are] the Messiah, tell us who hit you!”
while they taunted Him, saying, "Christ, prove yourself a Prophet by telling us who it was that struck you."
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]!”
Peter meanwhile was sitting outside in the court of the palace, when one of the maidservants came over to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilaean."
70 But while everyone there was listening, he denied it. He said, “I do not know what you are talking about!”
He denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean."
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.”
Soon afterwards he went out and stood in the gateway, when another girl saw him, and said, addressing the people there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene."
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!”
Again he denied it with an oath. "I do not know the man," he said.
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.”]
A short time afterwards the people standing there came and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your brogue shows it."
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 with curses and oaths he declared, "I do not know the man." Immediately a cock crowed,
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 recollected the words of Jesus, how He had said, "Before the cock crows you will three times disown me." And he went out and wept aloud, bitterly.
