New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Matthew 26
1
Jesus finished saying all these things. Then he said to his disciples,
2
"As you know, the Passover Feast is two days away. The Son of Man will be handed over to be nailed to a cross."
Reference
3
Then the chief priests met with the elders of the people. They met in the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest.
Reference
People
6
Jesus was in Bethany. He was in the home of a man named Simon, who had a skin disease.
Reference
People
7
A woman came to Jesus with a special sealed jar of very expensive perfume. She poured the perfume on his head while he was at the table.
Reference
9
"The perfume could have been sold at a high price. The money could have been given to poor people."
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 14:5
10
Jesus was aware of this. So he said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
Reference
13
What I'm about to tell you is true. What she has done will be told anywhere this good news is preached all over the world. It will be told in memory of her."
Reference
15
He asked, "What will you give me if I hand Jesus over to you?" So they counted out 30 silver coins for him.
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 21:32
16
From then on, Judas watched for the right time to hand Jesus over to them.
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 14:11
17
It was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The disciples came to Jesus. They asked, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?"
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 12:6
18
He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man. Tell him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover at your house with my disciples." ' "
Reference
Parallel theme
John 7:6
John 17:1
John 13:1
John 7:30
John 7:8
John 12:23
Luke 22:53
Mark 5:35
Matthew 26:2
Matthew 21:3
19
So the disciples did what Jesus had told them to do. They prepared the Passover meal.
20
When evening came, Jesus was at the table with the Twelve.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 13:21
21
While they were eating, he said, "What I'm about to tell you is true. One of you will hand me over to my enemies."
Reference
22
The disciples became very sad. One after the other, they began to say to him, "It's not I, Lord, is it?"
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 22:23
23
Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will hand me over.
Reference
24
The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But how terrible it will be for the one who hands over the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
Reference
Good
Mark 14:21
Parallel theme
Luke 24:46
Matthew 18:7
1 Corinthians 15:3
Matthew 26:54
John 17:12
Luke 22:22
Daniel 9:26
Mark 9:12
Matthew 26:56
25
Judas was the one who was going to hand him over. He said, "It's not I, Rabbi, is it?" Jesus answered, "Yes. It is you."
Reference
26
While they were eating, Jesus took bread. He gave thanks and broke it. He handed it to his disciples and said, "Take this and eat it. This is my body."
Reference
27
Then he took the cup. He gave thanks and handed it to them. He said, "All of you drink from it.
Reference
28
This is my blood of the new covenant. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many.
Reference
Blood
Leviticus 17:11
Revelation 7:14
Covenant
1 Corinthians 11:25
Hebrews 13:20
Zechariah 9:11
Parallel theme
Matthew 20:28
Sin
Hebrews 9:28
1 John 2:2
Colossians 1:14
Ephesians 1:7
29
Here is what I tell you. From now on, I won't drink wine with you again until the day I drink it with you in my Father's kingdom."
Reference
Kingdom
Hebrews 12:2
Mark 14:25
Matthew 13:43
Parallel theme
Revelation 7:17
Psalm 40:3
Acts 10:41
John 17:13
Revelation 14:3
Isaiah 53:11
Luke 15:32
31
Jesus told them, "This very night you will all turn away because of me. It is written that the Lord said, " 'I will strike the shepherd down. Then the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' --(Zechariah 13:7)
Reference
32
But after I rise from the dead, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 28:10
Mark 16:7
Matthew 28:16
1 Corinthians 15:6
Resurrection
Matthew 20:19
Mark 14:28
Matthew 16:21
33
Peter replied, "All the others may turn away because of you. But I never will."
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 22:33
34
"What I'm about to tell you is true," Jesus answered. "It will happen this very night. Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you don't know me."
Reference
35
But Peter said, "I may have to die with you. But I will never say I don't know you." And all the other disciples said the same thing.
Reference
36
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
Reference
📍 Gethsemane
37
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him. He began to be sad and troubled.
Reference
38
Then he said to them, "My soul is very sad. I feel close to death. Stay here. Keep watch with me."
Reference
39
He went a little farther. Then he fell with his face to the ground. He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. But let what you want be done, not what I want."
Reference
Parallel theme
John 6:38
Philippians 2:8
John 5:30
John 14:31
Matthew 20:22
John 18:11
John 11:41
Numbers 16:22
Prayer
Matthew 26:42
Hebrews 5:7
40
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 22:45
Matthew 26:43
Matthew 25:5
Matthew 26:38
References Peter
Mark 14:37
Matthew 26:35
Luke 9:32
41
"Watch and pray. Then you won't fall into sin when you are tempted. The spirit is willing. But the body is weak."
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 6:13
Revelation 16:15
1 Corinthians 10:13
1 Corinthians 16:13
1 Peter 5:8
2 Peter 2:9
Prayer
Luke 22:46
Luke 21:36
Spirit
Mark 14:38
Ephesians 6:18
42
Jesus went away a second time. He prayed, "My Father, is it possible for this cup to be taken away? But if I must drink it, may what you want be done."
Reference
43
Then he came back. Again he found them sleeping. They couldn't keep their eyes open.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 9:32
45
Then he returned to the disciples. He said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look! The hour is near. The Son of Man is about to be handed over to sinners.
Reference
46
Get up! Let us go! Here comes the one who is handing me over to them!"
47
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived. He was one of the Twelve. A large crowd was with him. They were carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests and the elders of the people had sent them.
Reference
48
Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, had arranged a signal with them. "The one I kiss is the man," he said. "Arrest him."
49
So Judas went to Jesus at once. He said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 26:25
50
Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then the men stepped forward. They grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
Reference
51
At that moment, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword. He pulled it out and struck the servant of the high priest with it. He cut off the servant's ear.
Reference
52
"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him. "All who use the sword will die by the sword.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 9:6
Romans 12:19
1 Peter 3:9
Revelation 16:6
Psalm 55:23
Matthew 5:39
Word
Revelation 13:10
53
Do you think I can't ask my Father for help? He would send an army of more than 70,000 angels right away.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 4:11
Daniel 7:10
Luke 8:30
Matthew 25:31
2 Thessalonians 1:7
Jude 1:14
Prayer
2 Kings 6:17
55
At that time Jesus spoke to the crowd. "Am I leading a band of armed men against you?" he asked. "Do you have to come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courtyard teaching. And you didn't arrest me.
Reference
56
But all this has happened so that the words of the prophets would come true." Then all the disciples left him and ran away.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 16:32
Matthew 26:31
2 Timothy 4:16
Lamentations 4:20
Matthew 26:24
Word
Zechariah 13:7
Matthew 26:54
Acts 1:16
57
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest. The teachers of the law and the elders had come together there.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 26:3
58
Not too far away, Peter followed Jesus. He went right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see what would happen.
Reference
59
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for something to use against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death.
60
But they did not find any proof, even though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two other witnesses came forward.
Reference
61
They said, "This fellow claimed, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God. I can build it again in three days.' "
Reference
62
Then the high priest stood up. He asked Jesus, "Aren't you going to answer? What are these charges that these men are bringing against you?"
Reference
63
But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I command you under oath by the living God. Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
Reference
Parallel theme
Leviticus 5:1
Isaiah 53:7
Matthew 27:12
1 Samuel 14:26
References Christ
Matthew 16:16
64
"Yes. It is just as you say," Jesus replied. "But here is what I say to all of you. In days to come, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. You will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven."
Reference
Parallel theme
Daniel 7:13
Psalm 110:1
Hebrews 1:3
Revelation 1:7
Matthew 24:30
Matthew 26:25
Luke 21:27
Matthew 25:31
References Jesus
Mark 14:62
Hebrews 12:2
65
Then the high priest tore his clothes. He said, "He has spoken a very evil thing against God! Why do we need any more witnesses? You have heard him say this evil thing.
Reference
67
Then they spit in his face. They hit him with their fists. Others slapped him.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 50:6
Isaiah 53:3
Matthew 27:30
John 18:22
Isaiah 52:14
Mark 14:65
Matthew 5:39
69
Peter was sitting out in the courtyard. A female servant came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.
Reference
70
But in front of all of them, Peter said he was not. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.
Reference
71
Then he went out to the gate leading into the courtyard. There another woman saw him. She said to the people, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."
72
Again he said he was not. With an oath he said, "I don't know the man!"
73
After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter. "You must be one of them," they said. "The way you talk gives you away."
Reference
Parallel theme
Judges 12:6
74
Then Peter began to call down curses on himself. He took an oath and said to them, "I don't know the man!" Right away a rooster crowed.
Reference
Chapter Summary
Matthew 26 begins with Jesus explicitly telling His disciples that the Passover is approaching and that He will be handed over to be crucified, showing that His death is not an unexpected accident but an event He understands and willingly faces as part of God's purpose.
At Bethany, an unnamed woman pours expensive perfume over Jesus, and although some disciples criticize the apparent waste, Jesus defends her action and explains that she has prepared His body for burial, transforming what appears to be an extravagant gesture into an extraordinary act of devotion that will be remembered wherever the gospel is proclaimed.
In contrast to this loving devotion, Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, beginning the chain of events that will lead to Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
During the Passover meal, Jesus reveals that one of the Twelve will betray Him, and He then establishes the Lord's Supper, taking bread and wine and connecting them with His body and blood, while declaring that His blood is associated with the covenant and the forgiveness of sins.
The meal therefore becomes both a farewell meal and a profound theological declaration about the meaning of Jesus' approaching death, while His promise to drink again with His disciples in His Father's kingdom points beyond the coming suffering toward future hope and restoration.
After singing a hymn, Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives and warns His disciples that they will all fall away, while Peter confidently insists that he will never abandon Him, revealing the dangerous difference between sincere confidence and tested faith.
At Gethsemane, Jesus experiences deep sorrow and anguish as He anticipates what lies ahead, yet His prayers repeatedly return to submission to His Father's will, demonstrating that His obedience is not effortless but chosen in the midst of profound suffering.
While Jesus prays, the disciples repeatedly fall asleep, showing their physical and spiritual weakness, and Jesus therefore urges them to watch and pray so that they will not fall into temptation.
Judas then arrives with an armed crowd and identifies Jesus with a kiss, making the betrayal especially painful because a normal sign of friendship becomes the instrument used to arrest Him.
When one of Jesus' followers uses a sword to defend Him, Jesus commands him to put it away and explains that His kingdom will not be established through violent resistance, while also declaring that He could summon enormous heavenly assistance if He chose to do so.
This is crucial because Jesus' surrender is shown to be voluntary, not forced by superior military power, as He explains that He could call upon His Father for more than twelve legions of angels but instead chooses to allow the Scriptures concerning His suffering to be fulfilled.
Jesus is then taken to Caiaphas the high priest, where the religious leaders attempt to construct a case against Him through testimony that repeatedly fails to agree.
Eventually the high priest directly asks Jesus whether He is the Messiah and the Son of God, and Jesus responds by identifying Himself with the Son of Man who will sit at God's right hand and come with the clouds of heaven, drawing on the powerful imagery of Daniel 7.
The authorities interpret His declaration as blasphemy and condemn Him to death, after which Jesus is mocked, spat upon, struck, and humiliated, revealing the extreme hostility surrounding His final hours.
At the same time, Peter denies knowing Jesus three times, despite having confidently promised only hours earlier that he would never abandon Him.
When the rooster crows, Peter remembers Jesus' prediction and realizes that his courage has failed under pressure, causing him to leave and weep bitterly, providing one of the chapter's clearest demonstrations that sincere intentions are not enough when faith is tested.
The chapter therefore places several contrasting responses to Jesus side by side: the woman demonstrates sacrificial devotion, Judas demonstrates deliberate betrayal, the disciples demonstrate weakness, Jesus demonstrates obedient surrender, the religious leaders demonstrate determined hostility, and Peter demonstrates the painful consequences of fear.
Matthew 26's central message is that Jesus willingly enters His suffering and death in obedience to His Father, while the events surrounding Him reveal both the depth of human sin and the weakness of human loyalty.
The chapter ultimately teaches that Christ's sacrifice is not an accidental defeat but a willing act of obedience connected with God's covenant and forgiveness, while genuine discipleship requires humility, prayer, watchfulness, and dependence upon God rather than confidence in one's own strength.
At Bethany, an unnamed woman pours expensive perfume over Jesus, and although some disciples criticize the apparent waste, Jesus defends her action and explains that she has prepared His body for burial, transforming what appears to be an extravagant gesture into an extraordinary act of devotion that will be remembered wherever the gospel is proclaimed.
In contrast to this loving devotion, Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, beginning the chain of events that will lead to Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
During the Passover meal, Jesus reveals that one of the Twelve will betray Him, and He then establishes the Lord's Supper, taking bread and wine and connecting them with His body and blood, while declaring that His blood is associated with the covenant and the forgiveness of sins.
The meal therefore becomes both a farewell meal and a profound theological declaration about the meaning of Jesus' approaching death, while His promise to drink again with His disciples in His Father's kingdom points beyond the coming suffering toward future hope and restoration.
After singing a hymn, Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives and warns His disciples that they will all fall away, while Peter confidently insists that he will never abandon Him, revealing the dangerous difference between sincere confidence and tested faith.
At Gethsemane, Jesus experiences deep sorrow and anguish as He anticipates what lies ahead, yet His prayers repeatedly return to submission to His Father's will, demonstrating that His obedience is not effortless but chosen in the midst of profound suffering.
While Jesus prays, the disciples repeatedly fall asleep, showing their physical and spiritual weakness, and Jesus therefore urges them to watch and pray so that they will not fall into temptation.
Judas then arrives with an armed crowd and identifies Jesus with a kiss, making the betrayal especially painful because a normal sign of friendship becomes the instrument used to arrest Him.
When one of Jesus' followers uses a sword to defend Him, Jesus commands him to put it away and explains that His kingdom will not be established through violent resistance, while also declaring that He could summon enormous heavenly assistance if He chose to do so.
This is crucial because Jesus' surrender is shown to be voluntary, not forced by superior military power, as He explains that He could call upon His Father for more than twelve legions of angels but instead chooses to allow the Scriptures concerning His suffering to be fulfilled.
Jesus is then taken to Caiaphas the high priest, where the religious leaders attempt to construct a case against Him through testimony that repeatedly fails to agree.
Eventually the high priest directly asks Jesus whether He is the Messiah and the Son of God, and Jesus responds by identifying Himself with the Son of Man who will sit at God's right hand and come with the clouds of heaven, drawing on the powerful imagery of Daniel 7.
The authorities interpret His declaration as blasphemy and condemn Him to death, after which Jesus is mocked, spat upon, struck, and humiliated, revealing the extreme hostility surrounding His final hours.
At the same time, Peter denies knowing Jesus three times, despite having confidently promised only hours earlier that he would never abandon Him.
When the rooster crows, Peter remembers Jesus' prediction and realizes that his courage has failed under pressure, causing him to leave and weep bitterly, providing one of the chapter's clearest demonstrations that sincere intentions are not enough when faith is tested.
The chapter therefore places several contrasting responses to Jesus side by side: the woman demonstrates sacrificial devotion, Judas demonstrates deliberate betrayal, the disciples demonstrate weakness, Jesus demonstrates obedient surrender, the religious leaders demonstrate determined hostility, and Peter demonstrates the painful consequences of fear.
Matthew 26's central message is that Jesus willingly enters His suffering and death in obedience to His Father, while the events surrounding Him reveal both the depth of human sin and the weakness of human loyalty.
The chapter ultimately teaches that Christ's sacrifice is not an accidental defeat but a willing act of obedience connected with God's covenant and forgiveness, while genuine discipleship requires humility, prayer, watchfulness, and dependence upon God rather than confidence in one's own strength.