📖 Matthew — Chapter 26 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Matthew 26:1 And it came to pass, Rwhen Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
Matthew 26:2 Ye Rknow that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
Matthew 26:3 Then Rassembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Matthew 26:4 And Rconsulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
Matthew 26:5 But they said, RNot on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
Matthew 26:6 Now when Jesus was Rin Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
Matthew 26:7 There Rcame unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
Matthew 26:8 But when his disciples saw it, Rthey had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
Matthew 26:9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
Matthew 26:10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, RWhy trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
Matthew 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; Rbut me ye have not always.
Matthew 26:12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Matthew 26:13 Verily I say unto you, RWheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Matthew 26:14 Then Rone of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
Matthew 26:15 And said unto them, RWhat will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Matthew 26:17 Now Rthe first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
Matthew 26:18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, RThe Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
Matthew 26:19 And Rthe disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
Matthew 26:20 Now Rwhen the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
Matthew 26:21 And as they did eat, he said, RVerily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Matthew 26:22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
Matthew 26:23 And he answered and said, RHe that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
Matthew 26:24 The RSon of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Matthew 26:25 Then RJudas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, RJesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
Matthew 26:27 And Rhe took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is Rshed for many for the remission of sins.
Matthew 26:29 But I say unto you, RI will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
Matthew 26:30 And Rwhen they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Matthew 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, RAll ye 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.
Matthew 26:32 But after RI am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Matthew 26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, RThough all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Matthew 26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, RThat this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Matthew 26:35 Peter said unto him, RThough I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
Matthew 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto Ra place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Matthew 26:37 And he took with him RPeter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Matthew 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: Rtarry ye here, and watch with me.
Matthew 26:39 And he went a little farther, Rand 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 thou wilt.
Matthew 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, Rand findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
Matthew 26:41 RWatch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:42 He went away again Rthe second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Matthew 26:43 And he came and found them asleep again: Rfor their eyes were heavy.
Matthew 26:44 And he left them, and went away again, and Rprayed the third time, saying the same words.
Matthew 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, RSleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Matthew 26:46 RRise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
Matthew 26:47 And while he yet spake, lo, 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.
Matthew 26:48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, RWhomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
Matthew 26:49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, RHail, master; and kissed him.
Matthew 26:50 And Jesus said unto him, RFriend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.
Matthew 26:51 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.
Matthew 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, RPut up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Matthew 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, Rand he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Matthew 26:54 RBut how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Matthew 26:55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, RAre ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
Matthew 26:56 But all this was done, Rthat the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Matthew 26:57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
Matthew 26:58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, Rand went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, Rsought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
Matthew 26:60 But Rfound none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
Matthew 26:61 And said, RThis fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
Matthew 26:62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, RAnswerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
Matthew 26:63 But RJesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Matthew 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, RThou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Matthew 26:65 Then Rthe high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
Matthew 26:66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
Matthew 26:67 Then Rdid they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
Matthew 26:68 Saying, RProphesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
Matthew 26:69 Now RPeter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
Matthew 26:70 RBut he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
Matthew 26:71 And Rwhen he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
Matthew 26:72 And again he denied Rwith an oath, I do not know the man.
Matthew 26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, RSurely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
Matthew 26:74 Then Rbegan he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
Matthew 26:75 And Peter Rremembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Matthew 26:1–29 — Betrayal surrounds anointing and the Passover meal
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Leaders plot, a woman anoints Jesus, and Judas agrees to betray him. At the Passover meal Jesus identifies betrayal and gives bread and the cup with words concerning his body, blood, and the coming kingdom.
Key Truth: Receive Jesus’ self-giving with gratitude rather than calculating personal gain.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And it ____ to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he …” (Matthew 26:1)
Find it in Matthew 26:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of ____ .” (Matthew 26:15)
Find it in Matthew 26:15 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ____ ye all of it;” (Matthew 26:27)
Find it in Matthew 26:27 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Matthew 26:30–56 — Gethsemane prayer leads into the arrest
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus foretells the disciples’ scattering, prays in sorrowful submission, and calls them to watch and pray. Judas arrives with the arresting company; Jesus refuses violent resistance and speaks of fulfilled Scripture.
Key Truth: Bring distress to the Father with obedient trust and prayer.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And when they had ____ an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:30)
Find it in Matthew 26:30 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And he ____ and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.” (Matthew 26:43)
Find it in Matthew 26:43 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “But all this was ____ , that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. …” (Matthew 26:56)
Find it in Matthew 26:56 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Matthew 26:57–75 — False testimony and Peter’s denial reveal human failure
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Before the high priest Jesus is opposed by false witnesses, speaks concerning the Son of man, and is condemned and abused. Outside, Peter denies knowing him three times and then weeps when he remembers Jesus’ words.
Key Truth: Let recognition of failure lead to honest repentance.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And they that had ____ hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high …” (Matthew 26:57)
Find it in Matthew 26:57 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of ____ .” (Matthew 26:66)
Find it in Matthew 26:66 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Now ____ sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto …” (Matthew 26:69)
Find it in Matthew 26:69 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Zechariah 13:7 — Jesus cites the struck shepherd and scattered sheep when warning his disciples.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can you respond to weakness with watchful prayer and honest repentance?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Matthew 26:1–29 (Betrayal surrounds anointing and the Passover meal) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Matthew 26:30–56 (Gethsemane prayer leads into the arrest) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Matthew 26:57–75 (False testimony and Peter’s denial reveal human failure) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. How does Jesus' prayer hold sorrow and obedience together?
5. How does Jesus respond to the sword used at his arrest?
Notes
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