Matthew 26

1 When Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation] had finished [completed, executed] saying all these things [words, messages], He told [said unto, spoke to] His disciples [learners, pupils, followers], word study 2 “You know [are aware, perceive] that the Passover [a Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites’ escape from slavery] is two [a couple, a pair of] days away, and the Son [a child, the Messiah] of Man [a human being, the ultimate representative of humanity] will be handed over [delivered, surrendered] to be crucified [put to death on a cross, executed].” word study 3 At that time [then, at a specific point] the chief priests [high-ranking Jewish leaders] and elders [respected community leaders] of the people [a group of individuals, a nation] assembled [gathered together] in the courtyard [palace, open area] of the high priest [a top Jewish leader], whose name [to say] was Caiaphas [a prominent high priest], word study 4 and they conspired [plotted together, consulted] to arrest Jesus [by some trick, with deceit] covertly [by subtilty, with cunning] and kill [destroy, take the life of] Him. word study 5 “But not [at any time, lest there be trouble] during the feast [festival, special celebration],” they said, “or there may be [a tumult, commotion, or uproar] a riot [disturbance, rebellion] among [in the midst of, surrounded by] the people [a group of individuals, a nation, or a crowd].” word study 6 While Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] was in Bethany [a village near Jerusalem] in the home [house, dwelling place] of Simon [a disciple, follower] the Leper [leprous, afflicted with a serious skin disease], word study 7 a woman [a female] came to Him with an alabaster [stone] jar of expensive [highly valuable] perfume, which she poured [flowing down] on His head [the upper part of the body] as He reclined [lying down] at the table [while sitting to eat]. word study 8 When the disciples [followers, learners] saw [perceived, attended to] this, they were [deeply] indignant [offended, upset] and asked, “Why [to what purpose] this waste [destruction, loss, perdition]? word study 9 This perfume [ointment, fragrant oil] could have been sold [disposed of as merchandise] at a high price [for much, a great amount], and the money [financial resources] given [bestowed, granted] to the poor [those who crouch and cower, beggars].” word study 10 Aware of this [having known, perceiving], Jesus asked, “Why are you bothering [troubling, giving trouble to] this woman [a female, a wife]? She has done a beautiful [good, kind] deed [work, act] to Me [toward me, for my benefit]. word study 11 The poor [needy, impoverished, those who crouch and cower] you will always [at all times, continually] have with you [in your midst, among you], but you will not always [at all times, continually] have Me [with you, in your presence, as I am now]. word study 12 By pouring [as an act of devotion] this perfume [fragrant oil] on Me, she has prepared [to make ready] My body [physical person] for burial [to be laid to rest] [in anticipation of My death, for My last resting-place]. word study 13 Truly [verily, with certainty] I tell you, wherever [wheresoever, in every place] this gospel [good news, message of salvation] is preached [proclaimed, heralded] in all [the whole, entire] the world [earthly realm], what she has done [accomplished, made] will also be told [spoken of, remembered] in memory [remembrance, commemoration] of her [as a tribute to her, for her sake].” word study 14 Then [at that specific point in time] one [a single individual] of the Twelve [twelve apostles, a complete group], the one [specifically, uniquely] called [named, referred to as] Judas [Judah] Iscariot [from Kerioth, a man of Kerioth], went [traveled, journeyed] to [towards, in the direction of] the chief priests [high-priest, top Jewish leaders] word study 15 and asked, “What [which thing, what reward] are you willing [to will, to desire] to give [bestow, grant] me if I [and I, personally] hand [deliver, surrender] Him [Jesus, the Messiah] over [yield, betray] to you [to your authority]?” And they set out [appointed, covenanted] for him [to Judas, the betrayer] thirty [a specific quantity] pieces [coins] of silver [money, valuable metal]. word study 16 So [and, also] from then on [at that time, from that moment] Judas [the betrayer, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles] looked for [sought, was watching for] an opportunity [a favorable occasion, a chance] to betray [to deliver, to surrender] Jesus [the Messiah, the Savior]. word study 17 On the first day of the Feast [festival, celebration] of Unleavened Bread [without yeast], the disciples [learners, followers] came to Jesus [Joshua, God’s salvation] and asked, “Where [in what location, at what place] do You want us to prepare [make ready, arrange] for You to eat [partake of, consume] the Passover [commemorating Israel’s escape, the lamb of God]?” word study 18 He answered, “Go into the city [toward the urban area] to a certain man [a specific individual, a certain one] and tell him that the Teacher [the Master, the Instructor] says, ‘My time [the right moment, the appointed hour] is near [at hand, approaching]. I will keep the Passover [the Jewish festival commemorating liberation] with My disciples [My learners, My followers] at your house [in your home, at your residence].’” word study 19 So the disciples [followers, learners] did as Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] had directed [appointed, commanded] them and prepared [made ready, arranged] the Passover [the Jewish festival commemorating Israel’s escape, a time of remembrance]. word study 20 When [at the time of] evening [nightfall] came, Jesus was reclining [lying down, sitting at a meal] with [in the company of] the twelve [a dozen] disciples [followers, learners]. word study 21 And while they were eating [taking food, consuming], He said to them, “Truly [verily, amen] I tell you, one [a single individual] of you will betray [deliver, hand over] Me [to my enemies, into their power].” word study 22 They were deeply [exceedingly, very] grieved [sorrowful, troubled] and began [commenced, started] to ask Him one after another, “Surely not [is it not possible that] I [the speaker], Lord [Master, God]?” word study 23 Jesus answered [in response to their question], “The one [this specific person] who has dipped [immersed] his hand [instrument of action] into the bowl [a dish for serving food] with Me [in accompaniment with me] will betray [surrender or yield up] Me [I, the speaker]. word study 24 The Son of Man [the Messiah, Jesus Christ] will go [depart, die] just as it is written [prophesied, foretold] about Him, but woe [deep sorrow, grief] to that man [the one who betrays] by whom He is betrayed [handed over, surrendered]. It would be better [more desirable, advantageous] for him if he had not been born [never existed, come into being].” word study 25 Then Judas [the one who would deliver him up], who would betray [surrender or yield up] Him, said, “Surely not [is it not possible that] I, Rabbi [my Master, a title of respect]?” Jesus answered, “You have said [spoken or declared] it yourself [on your own initiative].” word study 26 While they were eating [at supper, taking food], Jesus took bread [a loaf, food in general], spoke a blessing [thanked God, gave thanks] and broke it [into pieces, to share], and gave it to the disciples [his learners, pupils], saying, “Take [receive, accept] and eat [consume, partake]; this is My body [My physical person, My whole self].” word study 27 Then He took [received, accepted] the cup [the vessel], gave thanks [expressed gratitude, was thankful], and gave [bestowed, granted] it to them, saying, “Drink [swallow, partake] from it [out of this cup], all [every one, everyone] of you [together, as a group]. word study 28 This [referring to a specific person or thing] is My [emphasizing Jesus’ ownership] blood [the atoning blood of Christ] of the [new] covenant [a formal agreement or contract], which is poured out [shed or spilled] for many [a large crowd or multitude] for the forgiveness [pardon or remission] of sins [missing the mark or falling short of God’s standards]. word study 29 I tell you [declare to you, say unto you], I will not drink [shall not take, will not taste] of this fruit [produce, offspring] of the vine [the grapevine] from now on [henceforth, from this time] until that day [the day of my return, the day of the Lord] when I drink [partake, swallow] it anew [new, freshly, in a new way] with you [in your company, among you] in My Father’s [the Father’s, God’s] kingdom [reign, dominion, the kingdom of heaven].” word study 30 And [also, in addition] when they had sung [praised, worshiped with music] a hymn [song of praise, psalm], they went out [came out, departed] to [toward, into] the [this specific] Mount [hill, elevation] of [belonging to] Olives [olive trees, a place of spiritual significance]. word study 31 Then Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] said to them, “This very night [in the darkness of this hour] you will all [completely, every one of you] fall away [be offended, stumble] on account of Me [because of your relationship with me]. For it is written [in the Scriptures, as prophesied]: ‘I will strike [smite, inflict a blow upon] the Shepherd [the one who cares for and guides the flock], and the sheep [those who follow the Shepherd] of the flock [the community of believers] will be scattered [dispersed, thrown into confusion].’ word study 32 But after [following, subsequent to] I have risen [been raised up, come back to life], I will go ahead of [before, preceding] you into [toward, in the direction of] Galilee [the region, district].” word study 33 Peter [the rock, a disciple] said to Him, “Even if [in the event that, though] all [every single one] fall away [are offended, stumble] on account of You, I [myself, personally] never [at no time, not ever] will [shall not, refuse to].” word study 34 “Truly [verily, with certainty] I tell you,” Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] declared, “this very night [before the hour of darkness], before the rooster [cock, male chicken] crows, you will deny [utterly refuse, disown] Me [I, the Messiah] three times [thrice, on three occasions].” word study 35 Peter [one of Jesus’ twelve apostles] replied, “Even if [or though] I have to die [give up my life, experience physical death] with You, I will never [under no circumstances] deny [disown, reject, or refuse to acknowledge] You.” And all [every single one] the other disciples said the same thing [in like manner, similarly]. word study 36 At that time [then, at a specific point in time] Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] went with His disciples [learners, pupils] to a place [plot of land, estate] called Gethsemane [oil-press, a garden near Jerusalem], and He told them, “Sit [be seated, rest] here [in this place, remain] while I go [depart, proceed] over there [to that location, yonder] and pray [worship, commune with God].” word study 37 He took [received, accompanied] with Him Peter [the rock, a disciple] and the two [a pair] sons of Zebedee [a fisherman, father of James and John] and began [commenced, started] to be sorrowful [grieved, sad] and deeply [very, severely] distressed [troubled, heavy]. word study 38 Then He said to them, “My [the seat of emotions and desires] soul is consumed with [deeply sad or grieved] sorrow [exceeding sorrowful, even unto death] to the point of [until] death [physical or spiritual]. Stay [to remain in a place or state] here [in this specific place] and keep watch [to stay awake or be vigilant] with [in accompaniment] Me [I or me, the speaker].” word study 39 Going a little [small, humble] farther, He fell [to collapse, prostrate] facedown [on His face, in a posture of reverence] and prayed, “My Father [Abba, the intimate heavenly Father], if it is possible [able, within Your power], let this cup [of suffering] pass from Me [away from Me, be removed]. Yet not as I will [desire, wish], but as You will [desire, have decreed].” word study 40 Then Jesus returned [came back, went again] to the disciples [learners, followers] and found them sleeping [asleep, in a state of spiritual slumber]. “Were you not able [strong enough, empowered] to keep watch [stay awake, be vigilant] with Me [in My presence, accompanying Me] for one [a single, brief] hour [a short period of time, a specific moment]?” He asked [said, spoke to] Peter [the rock, a leader among the disciples]. word study 41 “Watch [stay awake, be vigilant] and pray [to God, worship Him] so that you will not enter [go into, experience] into temptation [testing, trial]. For the spirit [the vital principle] is willing [eager, ready], but the body [the flesh] is weak [feeble, lacking strength].” word study 42 A second time [again, once more] He went away [departed, withdrew] and prayed [to worship, to ask of God], “My Father [Abba, the heavenly Parent], if [in the event that, unless] this cup [a drinking vessel] cannot pass [be taken away, removed] unless [except, if not] I drink [swallow, partake of] it, may [let it be, I desire] Your will [desire, intention] be done [accomplished, fulfilled].” word study 43 And again [once more, a second time] Jesus returned [came back, went back] and found [discovered, met] them sleeping [asleep, in a state of slumber]—for [because, since] their eyes [sight, vision] were heavy [weighed down, burdened]. word study 44 So He left [released, sent away] them and went away [departed, followed] once more [again, a third time] and prayed [worshiped, communed with God] a third [the final time] time, saying [speaking, uttering] the same [identical, unchanged] thing [word, message]. word study 45 Then He returned to the disciples [His followers, learners] and said, “Are you still sleeping [resting, unaware] and resting [receiving no spiritual refreshment]? Look, the hour [a specific time, a moment of crisis] is near [has come, is at hand], and the Son of Man [the Messiah, God’s representative] is betrayed [handed over, surrendered] into the hands [power, control] of sinners [those who miss the mark, lawless ones]. word study 46 Rise [arise, stand up, wake up], let us go [be going, depart]! See [behold, perceive, attend to], My betrayer [the one who delivers me up, surrenders me] is approaching [coming near, drawing close, at hand]!” word study 47 While Jesus was still [yet, continuing to] speaking, Judas [one of the twelve apostles, a close companion], one of the Twelve [chosen disciples], arrived, accompanied by a large [great, multitude] crowd [group of people, mob] armed with swords [short swords, daggers] and clubs [wooden staffs, staves], sent from the chief priests [high-priests, Jewish leaders] and elders [respected leaders, authorities] of the people [nation, community]. word study 48 Now the betrayer [who delivered him up, the one surrendering him] had arranged a signal [a sign, a token of identification] with them: “The One I kiss [show affection to, greet with a kiss] is the man [he, the one I am identifying]; arrest [seize, take hold of] Him [the One I have identified].” word study 49 Going directly [straight away, immediately] to Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation], he said, “Greetings [to rejoice, a wish for happiness], Rabbi [my master, a title of respect]!” and kissed [to kiss with strong affection] Him. word study 50 “Friend [comrade, close companion],” Jesus replied, “do what you came for [to kiss me, to fulfill your purpose].” Then [at that moment, next] the men stepped forward, seized [laid hands on, grasped] Jesus, and arrested [took hold of, apprehended] Him. word study 51 At this, one [a single individual] of Jesus’ [God is salvation] companions drew his sword [a short sword or dagger] and struck [to hit or knock] the servant [a slave or bondservant] of the high priest [a top Jewish leader], cutting off [to remove or take away] his ear [the entire ear or just the earlobe]. word study 52 “Put [return, sheathe] your sword [a short sword or dagger, an instrument of violence] back in its place [its proper position, scabbard],” Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] said to him [the disciple, Peter]. “For all [every, everyone] who draw [take, use] the sword [as a means of defense or attack] will die [perish, meet their end] by the sword [through violence, as a result of their actions]. word study 53 Are you not aware [do you not realize, do you not know] that I can call on [plead with, beseech] My Father [the supreme Creator, God], and He will at once [immediately, right now] put at My disposal [place beside me, provide for me] more than [in excess of, greater than] twelve [a dozen] legions of angels [messengers of God, heavenly beings]? word study 54 But how [in what way, by what means] then would the Scriptures [holy writings, God’s Word] be fulfilled [completed, brought to pass] that say [declare, prophesy] it must [is necessary, has to] happen [come to pass, occur] this way [thus, in this manner]?” word study 55 At that time [in that same hour] Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] said to the crowd [multitude, large group of people], “Have you come out [gone forth] with swords [short swords, daggers] and clubs [wooden staffs, staves] to arrest Me [seize, capture] as you would [as against] an outlaw? Every day [daily, each day] I sat [was sitting] teaching [instructing, guiding] in the temple [sacred place, house of God] courts [enclosed areas], and you did not [did not seize] arrest Me [take hold of Me, capture Me]. word study 56 But this [all that has happened, everything] has all happened [come to pass, taken place] so that the writings [scriptures, holy writings] of the prophets [those who speak for God, messengers] would be fulfilled [completed, brought to pass].” Then [at that time, next] all [every one, the whole group] the disciples [followers, learners] deserted [left, abandoned] Him and fled [ran away, escaped]. word study 57 Those who had arrested [seized, laid hold of] Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas [spiritual leader] the high priest [chief religious leader], where the scribes [teachers of the law, scholars] and elders [respected leaders] had gathered [assembled, come together]. word study 58 But Peter [one of Jesus’ twelve apostles] followed Him [afar off] at a distance, right up to the courtyard [palace, open area] of the high priest [chief Jewish leader]. And he went in [entered within] and sat down [took his seat] with the guards [officers, servants] to see [perceive, attend to] the outcome [end, conclusion]. word study 59 Now the chief priests [and elders] and the whole Sanhedrin [council, a group of Jewish leaders] were seeking [trying to find] false testimony [false witness, lying under oath] against Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation] in order to put Him to death [kill, execute]. word study 60 But they did not find [discover or meet with] any, though many [a large number of] false witnesses [those who give untrue testimony] came forward. Finally [at the last, after a long time] two came forward [approached or drew near] word study 61 and declared [openly asserted], “This man [Jesus, the Messiah] said, ‘I am able [have the power, capable] to destroy [tear down, demolish] the temple [a sacred place of worship] of God [the one true deity] and rebuild [construct, restore] it in three [a specific number of] days [a period of 24 hours].’” word study 62 So the high priest [chief Jewish leader] stood up [arose, got up] and asked Him, “Have You [as the Messiah] no answer [response, reply]? What are these men [witnesses, accusers] testifying against [bearing witness, accusing] You [as the Son of God]?” word study 63 But Jesus remained [completely] silent. Then the high priest [the top Jewish leader] said to Him, “I charge [adjure, put under oath] You under oath by the living [eternally existing] God: Tell us if You are the Christ [the Messiah, anointed one], the Son [having the nature] of God [the supreme deity].” word study 64 “You have said it yourself,” Jesus [the Son of God, the Messiah] answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on [hereafter, in the future] you will see the Son of Man [the divine-human figure, the Messiah] sitting at the right hand [the position of power and authority] of Power [divine authority, God’s strength] and coming on [descending upon, arriving in] the clouds [the heavenly chariots] of heaven [the spiritual realm, God’s dwelling place].” word study 65 At this, the high priest [violently] tore his clothes [outer garment, robe] and declared, “He has [spoken against God, uttered blasphemy] blasphemed [spoken evil against God]! Why do we need any more [additional, further] witnesses [those who testify, provide evidence]? Look [behold, see], now you have heard [listened to, understood] the blasphemy [slander, evil speaking against God]. word study 66 What do you think [consider, or suppose]?” “He [is worthy of, deserves, or is liable for] deserves to die,” they [in response, answering] answered [said, spoke, or declared]. word study 67 Then [at that specific point in time] they spit [to spit on in contempt] in His face [the countenance] and struck [to beat with the fist] Him. Others [some, certain ones] slapped [to slap with the palm of the hand] Him [referring to Jesus, the person] word study 68 and said, “Prophesy [speak under God’s inspiration] to us, Christ [the anointed Messiah]! Who [which one, what person] hit [struck with force, smote] You [addressing Jesus directly]?” word study 69 Meanwhile, Peter [one of Jesus’ twelve apostles] was sitting out [seated, resting] in the courtyard [palace, open area], and a servant girl [maidservant, female slave] came up to him. “You [as an individual, personally] also were with [accompanied, followed] Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] the Galilean [from Galilee, Jesus’ home region],” she said. word study 70 But he denied [completely rejected, said no to] it before [in the presence of, to the face of] them all [every single one, the entire group]: “I do not know [am unaware of, have no knowledge of] what [which thing, this matter] you are talking about [saying, speaking of].” word study 71 When Peter had gone out [to the porch, into the gateway] to the gateway [the entrance, the gate], another [different, a second] servant girl saw him and said to the people [those who were standing, the crowd] there, “This man [this fellow, he] was with [accompanied, in the company of] Jesus [Joshua, the Savior] of Nazareth [the city, the Nazarene].” word study 72 And [once more] again he denied [rejected, said no to] it with [accompanied by, following] an oath [a sacred promise, vow]: “I do [absolutely, completely] not know [am unaware of, do not recognize] the man [a human being, an individual]!” word study 73 After a little while [a short time, briefly], those standing nearby [who were present, in attendance] came up to Peter [the rock, a disciple of Jesus]. “Surely [truly, indeed] you are one of them [a follower, a disciple],” they said, “for your accent [speech, way of speaking] gives you away [reveals your identity, makes you known].” word study 74 At that [specific point in time] he began [to commence, to start] to curse [to imprecate, to express strong disapproval] and swear [to take an oath, to affirm] to them, “I do not [completely, utterly] know [perceive, have awareness of] the man [a human being]!” And immediately [right away, without delay] a rooster [a male chicken, the bird that crows] crowed [made a loud, distinctive sound]. word study 75 Then Peter remembered [brought to mind, recalled] the word [declaration, utterance] that Jesus had spoken: “Before [prior to, sooner than] the rooster [male chicken, cock] crows, you will deny [utterly refuse, disown] Me three times [thrice, on three occasions].” And he went outside [out of the house, into the open air] and wept [cried out loud, mourned] bitterly [with intense sadness, deeply grieved]. word study