MSB MAT Chapter 26

The Plot to Kill Jesus

(Mark 14:1–2, Luke 22:1–2, John 11:45–57)

vvv vvv When Jesus had finished {saying} all[fn] these things, He told His disciples, 2 “You know that the Passover is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

At that time the chief priests, scribes,[fn] and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill [Him]. 5 “But not during the feast,” they said,“or there may be a riot among the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

(Mark 14:3–9, Luke 7:36–50, John 12:1–8)

While Jesus was in Bethany in [the] home of Simon the Leper,[fn] 7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

When His disciples[fn] saw this, they were indignant and asked,“Why this waste? 9 This perfume[fn] could have been sold at a high price, and [the money] given to [the] poor.”

Aware of this, Jesus asked“Why are you bothering [this] woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me. 11 The poor vvv you will always have with you,[fn] but {you will} not always have Me. 12 By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done vvv will also be told in memory of her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

(Mark 14:10–11, Luke 22:3–6)

Then one of the Twelve, the [one] called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 [and] asked,“What are you willing to give me if I hand Him {over} to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 So from then on [Judas] looked for an opportunity to betray [Jesus].

Preparing the Passover

(Mark 14:12–16, Luke 22:7–13)

On the first [day] of the Feast of Unleavened [Bread],[fn] the disciples came to Jesus [and] asked,“Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

He answered,“Go into the city to a certain man and tell him [that] the Teacher says,‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your [house].’ ” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

The Last Supper

(Mark 14:17–26, Luke 22:14–23, 1 Corinthians 11:17–34)

When evening came, [Jesus] was reclining with the Twelve.[fn] 21 And while they were eating, He said to them,“Truly I tell you one of you will betray Me.”

They were deeply grieved [and] began to ask Him one after another,“Surely not I, Lord?”

[Jesus] answered“The [one] who has dipped [his] hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom [He] is betrayed. It would be better for him if [he] vvv had not been born.”

Then Judas, who would betray Him, said“Surely not I, Rabbi?”

[Jesus] answered“You have said [it] yourself.”

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks[fn] [and] broke [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, saying,“Take [and] eat; this is My body.”

Then He took the cup, gave thanks, [and] gave [it] to them, saying,“Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is My blood of the new covenant,[fn] which is poured out for many for [the] forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, vvv vvv I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

And [when] they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

(Zechariah 13:7–9, Mark 14:27–31, Luke 22:31–38, John 13:36–38)

Then Jesus said to them, This very night you vvv will all fall away on account of Me. For it is written:

‘I will strike the Shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[fn]

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Peter said to Him,“Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared this very night, before [the] rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

Peter replied“Even if I have to die with You, vvv vvv I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

Jesus Prays at Gethsemane

(Mark 14:32–42, Luke 22:39–46)

Then Jesus went with [His disciples] to a place called Gethsemane, and He told [them],“Sit here while I go over there [and] pray.”

He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [and] began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then Jesus said[fn] to them,“My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”

Going a little {farther}, He fell vvv vvv facedown [and] prayed“My Father, if it is possible, {let} this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You [will].”

Then [Jesus] returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. vvv Were you not able to keep watch with Me [for] one hour?” He asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that vvv you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit [is] willing, but the body [is] weak.”

vvv vvv A second time He went away [and] prayed“My Father, if this cup vvv cannot pass from Me[fn] unless I drink it, {may} Your will be done.” 43 And [Jesus] returned [and] found them sleeping again,[fn] for their eyes were heavy.

So He left them [and] went away once more [and] prayed [a] third time, saying the same thing.[fn] 45 Then He returned to His disciples and said“Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into [the] hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! See, My betrayer is approaching![fn]”

The Betrayal of Jesus

(Mark 14:43–52, Luke 22:47–53, John 18:1–14)

While [Jesus] vvv was still speaking Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd [armed] with swords and clubs, [sent] from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them“The One I kiss is [the man]; arrest Him.” 49 Going directly to Jesus, he said,“Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

“Friend,” Jesus replied“why have you come

Then [the men] stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him. 51 At this one of Jesus’ companions vvv vvv vvv drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him.“For all who draw [the] sword will perish[fn] by [the] sword. 53 vvv Are you not aware that I can call on My Father right now,[fn] and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then {would} the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

At that time Jesus said to the crowd,“Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as [you would] an outlaw? Every day I sat with you[fn] teaching in the temple [courts],[fn] and vvv you did not arrest Me. 56 But this {has} all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.”

Then all the disciples deserted Him [and] fled.

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

(Mark 14:53–65, Luke 22:66–71, John 18:19–24)

Those who had arrested Jesus led [Him] away to [the house of] Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered. 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in [and] sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

Now the chief priests, the elders,[fn] and the whole Sanhedrin[fn] were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death 60 But vvv they did not find any. Even [though] many false witnesses came forward, they found none.[fn]

Finally two false witnesses came forward[fn] 61 [and] declared,“This [man] said,‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”

So the high priest stood up [and] asked Him,“Have You no answer What {are} these [men] testifying against You?”

But Jesus remained silent.

Then the high priest said to Him,“I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

“You have said [it] yourself,” Jesus answered“But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at [the] right hand of Power[fn] and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[fn]

At this, the high priest tore his clothes [and] declared,“He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy.[fn] 66 What {do} you think?”

“vvv He deserves to die,” they answered

Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped [Him] 68 [and] said,“Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?”

Peter Denies Jesus

(Mark 14:66–72, Luke 22:54–62, John 18:15–18)

Meanwhile Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him.“You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said.

But he denied [it] before [them] all“vvv I do not know what you are talking about.”

When [Peter] had gone out to the gateway, another [servant girl] saw him and said to the people there,“This [man] was also[fn] with Jesus of Nazareth.”

And again he denied [it] with an oath“vvv I do not know the man!”

After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter.“Surely you are one of them,” they said,“for your accent gives you away.”

At that he began to curse and swear [to them]“vvv I do not know the man!”

And immediately a rooster crowed.

Then Peter remembered the word [that] Jesus had spoken to him“Before [the] rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside [and] wept bitterly.