Matthew 26 is a long chapter, weighing in at 75 verses. I considered splitting it roughly in half and spending two days on it but then I had another idea. Today I will read the chapter straight through. Tomorrow I will post my discussion of the text. Let’s spend two days on this chapter and then two days on chapter 27, which is 65 verses. Chapter 28 is really short and about the resurrection, so that will be kind of like a day off and we can start Leviticus on July 1st. It works out great.

Matthew 26

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 will be betrayed and crucified.”

3 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled together in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

4 And plotted together how they might take Jesus subtilty, and kill him.

5 But they said “Not on the feast day, as that would cause an uproar among the people.”

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

7 a woman there came to him with an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he reclined at table. 

8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying “ Why this waste?

9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.”

10 When Jesus was aware of it, he said to them “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good thing for me.

11 For you will have the poor with you always, but you will not always have me. .

12 By pouring this ointment on my body, she has anointed me for my burial.

13 Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial for her.” 

14 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests,

15 And said “What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you?” And they negotiated with him for thirty pieces of silver.

16 From that time pn he sought an opportunity to betray him.

17 Now on the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

18 He said “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him ‘The Master says “My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at your house with my disciples.”’”

19 The disciples did as Jesus instructed them, and they made ready the Passover.

20 When it was evening, he sat down with the twelve.

21 As they ate he said “Truly I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

22 And they were very sorrowful, and every one of them began to say “Lord, is it me?”

23 He answered and said “He that dips his hand in the dish with me, that one will betray me.

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 would be good for him if he had never been born.”

25 Then Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said “Master, is it I?” He said to him “You have said.”

26 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.”

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying “Drink of it, all of you; 

28 For this is my blood of the covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 After they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

31 Then  Jesus said to them “You will all fall away  because of me this night: for it is written ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 After I have risen, I will go before you into Galilee.”

33 Peter answered and said “Though all men fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” .

34 Jesus said “Truly I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

35 Peter said “Even if I must die with you I will not deny you.” All the disciples said the same. .

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 

37 And he took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him, and began to be sorrowful and very distressed.

38 Then he said to them “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, to the point of death. Wait here, and keep watch with me.”

39 He went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying “O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.” 

40 Then he came to the disciples and found them asleep; and said to Peter “What, could you not watch with me one hour?

41 Watch and pray, that you do not enter into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away again for 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.”

43 He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

45 Then he came to his disciples and said to them “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Rise, let us be going. See, my betrayer is near.”

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and a great crowd with swords and clubs was with him, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 He had given them a sign, saying “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Arrest him.”

49 And he went straight to Jesus, and said “Greetings Rabbi,” and kissed him.

50 Jesus said to him “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

51 One of those with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and cut off his ear.

52 Then Jesus said to him “Put up your sword into its place, for all who take up the sword shall perish with the sword.

53 Do you think that I cannot pray to my Father, and he will  give me more than twelve legions of angels right now?

54 But how would the scriptures be fulfilled, that say this must be?”

55 At that same time Jesus said to the crowds “Have you come with swords and clubs like I am a thief to capture me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and you did not lay hold on me.

56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and ran away.

57 Those arresting Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58 Peter followed him from far off to the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, looked for false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

60 But found none. Even though many false witnesses came, they found none. At the last two false witnesses came

61 and said “This fellow said ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.’

62 The high priest got up and said to him “Do you have no answer to make for what these men testify against you?” 

63 But Jesus held his peace. The high priest said to him “I adjure you, by the living God, that you tell us whether you are Christ, the Son of God.”

64 Jesus said to him “You have said so.  Nevertheless I say to you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying “He has spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? See, now you have heard his blasphemy.”

66 What is your decision?” They answered and said “He is guilty of death.”

67 Then they spit in his face, and roughed him up, and others struck him with the palms of their hands,

68 Saying “Prophesy to us, you Christ. Who is it that hit you?”

69 Now Peter sat outside in the palace, and a young lady came to him, saying “You were also with Jesus of Galilee.”

70 But he denied it before all of them, saying “I don’t know what you mean.”

71 After he went out onto the porch, another woman saw him, and said to those out there “This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 Again he denied with an oath “I do not know the man.” 

73 After a while those standing around came and said to Peter “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.” 

74 Then he began  to curse and to swear, saying “I do not know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed. 

75 Peter remembered the words of Jesus, when he said “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out, and wept bitterly.

See also: Matthew 26 in ESV, HCSB, NASB and NIV via Bible Gateway.