American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Matthew 26
1
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,
2
You know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
Reference
3
Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, to the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Reference
People
7
There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
Reference
8
But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
Reference
9
For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 14:5
10
When Jesus understood it, he said to them, Why trouble you the woman? for she has worked a good work on me.
Reference
13
Truly I say to you, Wherever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman has done, be told for a memorial of her.
Reference
15
And said to them, What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 21:32
16
And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 14:11
17
Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, Where will you that we prepare for you to eat the passover?
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 12:6
18
And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say to him, The Master said, My time is at hand; I will keep 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
And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
20
Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 13:21
22
And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say to him, Lord, is it I?
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 22:23
23
And he answered and said, He that dips his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
Reference
24
The Son of man goes as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man 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
Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said to him, You have said.
Reference
26
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Reference
27
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink you all of it;
Reference
28
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
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
But I say to you, I will not drink from now on of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new 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
Then said Jesus to them, All you shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
Reference
32
But after I am risen again, I will go before 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 answered and said to him, Though all men shall be offended because of you, yet will I never be offended.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 22:33
34
Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, That this night, before the cock crow, you shall deny me thrice.
Reference
35
Peter said to him, Though I should die with you, yet will I not deny you. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Reference
36
Then comes Jesus with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, Sit you here, while I go and pray yonder.
Reference
📍 Gethsemane
37
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Reference
38
Then said he to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even to death: tarry you here, and watch with me.
Reference
39
And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.
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
And he comes to the disciples, and finds them asleep, and said to Peter, What, could you not watch with me one hour?
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, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh 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
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, your will be done.
Reference
43
And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 9:32
44
And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Reference
45
Then comes he to his disciples, and said to them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Reference
46
Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that does betray me.
47
And while he yet spoke, see, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Reference
48
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
49
And immediately he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 26:25
50
And Jesus said to him, Friend, why are you come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.
Reference
51
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
Reference
52
Then said Jesus to him, Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with 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
Think you that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
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
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are you come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and you laid no hold on me.
Reference
56
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
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
And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 26:3
58
But Peter followed him afar off to the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
Reference
59
Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
60
But found none: yes, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
Reference
61
And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
Reference
62
And the high priest arose, and said to him, Answer you nothing? what is it which these witness against you?
Reference
63
But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said to him, I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you be 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
Jesus said to him, You have said: nevertheless I say to you, Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in 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 rent his clothes, saying, He has spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now you have heard his blasphemy.
Reference
66
What think you? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 19:7
67
Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
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
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came to him, saying, You also were with Jesus of Galilee.
Reference
71
And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said to them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
72
And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
73
And after a while came to him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely you also are one of them; for your speech denudes you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Judges 12:6
74
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
Reference
Summary of Matthew 26
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.