Matthew 26:1-75 AMP

Matthew 26:1-75 AMP [1] When Jesus had finished this discourse, He said to His disciples, [2] “You know that the Passover is coming in two days, and the Son of Man is to be betrayed and handed over for crucifixion.” [3] Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of the [elegant home of the Jewish] high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, [4] and plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him. [5] But they said, “It must not be during the festival (Passover), otherwise there might be a riot among the people.” [6] Now when Jesus was [back] in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, [7] a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume and she poured it on Jesus’ head as He reclined at the table. [8] But when the disciples saw it they were indignant and angry, saying, “Why all this waste [of money]? [9] For this perfume might have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” [10] But Jesus, aware [of the malice] of this [remark], said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? She has done a good thing to Me. [11] For you always have the poor with you; but you will not always have Me. [12] When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. [13] I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever this gospel [of salvation] is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her [for her act of love and devotion].” [14] Then one of the twelve [disciples], who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests [15] and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver. [16] And from that moment Judas began looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus. [17] Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread (Passover Week) the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” [18] He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time [to suffer and atone for sin] is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’” [19] [Accordingly] the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. [20] When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. [21] And as they were eating, He said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you that one of you will betray Me.” [22] Being deeply grieved and extremely distressed, each one of them began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” [23] Jesus answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the bowl with Me [as a pretense of friendship] will betray Me. [24] The Son of Man is to go [to the cross], just as it is written [in Scripture] of Him; but woe (judgment is coming) to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.” [25] And Judas, the betrayer, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself.” [26] Now as they were eating Jesus took bread, and after blessing it, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” [27] And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; [28] for this is My blood of the [new and better] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many [as a substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins. [29] But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” [30] After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. [31] Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night [disillusioned about Me, confused, and some even ashamed of Me], for it is written [in the Scriptures], ‘I WILL STRIKE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK WILL BE SCATTERED.’ [32] But after I am raised [to life], I will go ahead of you [leading the way] to Galilee.” [33] Peter replied to Him, “Though they all fall away because of You [and doubt and disown You], I will never fall away!” [34] Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this night, before a rooster crows, you will [completely] deny Me three times.” [35] Peter said to Jesus, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And all the disciples said the same thing. [36] Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane (olive-press), and He told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” [37] And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John], He began to be grieved and greatly distressed. [38] Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and stay awake and keep watch with Me.” [39] And after going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible [that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” [40] And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour? [41] Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” [42] He went away a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” [43] Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. [44] So, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words once more. [45] Then He returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Listen, the hour [of My sacrifice] is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners [whose way and nature is to oppose God]. [46] Get up, let us go. Look, My betrayer is near!” [47] As Jesus was still speaking, Judas [Iscariot], one of the twelve [disciples], came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, [who came as representatives] from the chief priests and elders of the people. [48] Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” [49] Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Greetings (rejoice), Rabbi!” And he kissed Him [in a deliberate act of betrayal]. [50] Jesus said to Judas, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then they came and seized Jesus and arrested Him. [51] And one of those who were with Jesus reached out and drew his sword, and struck [Malchus] the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. [52] Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place; for all those who habitually draw the sword will die by the sword. [53] Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will immediately provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? [54] How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?” [55] At that moment Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Day after day I used to sit in the porches and courts of the temple teaching, and you did not arrest Me. [56] But all this has taken place so that the Scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled. [57] Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) had gathered [illegally] together. [58] But Peter followed Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the [elegant home of the Jewish] high priest, and went inside, and sat with the guards to see the outcome. [59] Now the chief priests and the whole Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) tried to get false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so that they might [have a reason to] put Him to death. [60] They found none, even though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward, [61] and testified, “This man said, ‘I am able to tear down the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” [62] The high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Have You no answer to give? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” [63] But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I call on You to swear a binding oath by the living God, that you tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” [64] Jesus said to him, “You have [in fact] said it; but more than that I tell you [regardless of what you do with Me now], in the future you will see [Me revealed as] THE SON OF MAN SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” [65] Then the high priest tore his robes [in mock horror] and exclaimed, “He has blasphemed [by making Himself God’s equal]! What further need have we of witnesses or evidence? See, you have now heard the blasphemy. [66] What do you think?” They answered, “He deserves to be put to death.” [67] Then they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists; and some slapped Him, [68] saying, “Prophesy to us, You Christ (Messiah, Anointed); who was it that struck You?” [69] Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came up to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” [70] But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” [71] And when he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.” [72] And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” [73] After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them too; for even your [Galilean] accent gives you away.” [74] Then he began to curse [that is, to invoke God’s judgment on himself] and swear [an oath], “I do not know the man!” And at that moment a rooster crowed. [75] And Peter remembered the [prophetic] words of Jesus, when He had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly [in repentance].

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