Matthew 26 - Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT)

The King Is Put To Death

26 And it came about that when Jesus finished all^[a] these words, He said to His disciples, ² “You know that after two days the Passover [Feast] comes^[b], and the Son of Man is handed-over so as to be crucified”.

The Priests Plot To Seize And Kill Jesus

³ Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the courtyard^[c] of the high priest, the one being called Caiaphas. ⁴ And they plotted in order that they might seize Jesus by deceit^[d] and kill Him. ⁵ But they were saying, “Not during the Feast, in order that no uproar may take place among the people”.

Jesus Is Anointed With Oil In Preparation For His Burial

⁶ Now Jesus having come-to-be in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, ⁷ a woman came to Him having an alabaster-jar of very-expensive perfume^[e]. And she poured it down upon His head while He was reclining-back [to eat]. ⁸ But having seen it, the disciples were indignant, saying, “For what purpose is this waste? ⁹ For this could have been sold for much and given to poor ones”. ¹⁰ But having known it, Jesus said to them, “Why are you causing troubles for the woman? For she worked a good work^[f] for^[g] Me. ¹¹ For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me. ¹² For this one having put this perfume on My body did it so as to^[h] prepare Me for burial. ¹³ Truly I say to you, wherever this good-news is proclaimed in the whole world, what this one did will also be spoken for a memorial of her”.

Jesus Is Betrayed By One of The Twelve

¹⁴ Then one of the twelve, the one being called Judas Iscariot, having gone to the chief priests, ¹⁵ said, “What are you willing to give me, and I will hand Him over to you?” And the ones set^[i] thirty silver-coins for him. ¹⁶ And from that time on, he was seeking a favorable-opportunity in order that he might hand Him over.

Jesus Celebrates Passover With The Twelve

¹⁷ Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened-Bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover [meal]?” ¹⁸ And the One said, “Go into the city to so-and-so^[j], and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I am doing^[k] the Passover [meal] with you, along-with My disciples”’” ¹⁹ And the disciples did as Jesus directed them. And they prepared the Passover [meal]. ²⁰ And having become evening, He was reclining back [to eat] with the twelve.

The Betrayer Is Exposed

²¹ And while they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will hand Me over”. ²² And while being extremely grieved, each one began to say to Him, “I am not the one, am I, Lord?” ²³ And the One, having responded, said, “The one having dipped his hand with^[l] Me in the bowl— this one will hand Me over. ²⁴ The Son of Man is going just as it has been written about Him— but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is being handed-over! It would have been better for him if that man had not been born”. ²⁵ And having responded, Judas, the one handing Him over, said, “I am not^[m] the one, am I, Rabbi?” He says to him, “You said^[n] it ”.

The Bread And The Wine Are Given a New Meaning

²⁶ And while they were eating, having taken bread and having blessed it ^[o], Jesus broke it. And having given it to the disciples, He said, “Take, eat. This is My body”. ²⁷ And having taken a cup and given-thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, everyone. ²⁸ For this is My blood of ^[p] the covenant— the blood being poured-out for many for forgiveness of sins. ²⁹ And I say to you, I will by-no-means drink of this fruit of the grapevine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in the kingdom of My Father”.

You Will All Be Scattered In Fulfillment of Zechariah. Peter’s Denial Is Predicted

³⁰ And having sung-a-hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. ³¹ Then Jesus says to them, “You all will be caused-to-fall in-connection-with Me^[q] during this night. For it has been written [in Zech 13:7]: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered’. ³² But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee”. ³³ But having responded, Peter said to Him, “If all^[r] will be caused-to-fall in connection with You, I will never be caused to fall”. ³⁴ Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that during this night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three-times”. ³⁵ Peter says to Him, “Even if I have-to die with You, I will never deny You”. All the disciples also spoke likewise.

Jesus Waits And Prays In The Garden of Gethsemane

³⁶ Then Jesus comes with them to a place being called Gethsemane. And He says to the disciples, “Sit here while^[s] I pray, having gone there”. ³⁷ And having taken-along Peter and the two sons^[t] of Zebedee, He began to be grieved and distressed. ³⁸ Then He says to them, “My soul is deeply-grieved, to the point of death. Stay here and keep-watching with Me”. ³⁹ And having gone ahead a little, He fell on His face while praying and saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I want^[u], but as You want ”. ⁴⁰ And He comes to the disciples and finds them sleeping. And He says to Peter, “So were you^[v] [three] not strong-enough^[w] to keep watch with Me for one hour? ⁴¹ Keep watching, and be praying that^[x] you may not enter into temptation^[y]. The spirit is willing^[z], but the flesh is weak”. ⁴² Again having gone away for a second time, He prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, let Your will be done”. ⁴³ And having come, He again found them sleeping. For their eyes had been weighed-down. ⁴⁴ And having left them again, having gone away, He prayed for a third time, having spoken the same thing^[aa] again. ⁴⁵ Then He comes to the disciples and says to them, “Are you sleeping and resting^[ab] from-now-on^[ac]? Behold— the hour has drawn-near, and the Son of Man is being handed-over into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Arise, let us be going. Behold— the one handing Me over has drawn near”.

Jesus Is Betrayed With a Kiss And Arrested

⁴⁷ And while He was still speaking, behold— Judas, one of the twelve, came. And with him was a large crowd from the chief priests and elders of the people with swords and clubs. ⁴⁸ Now the one handing Him over gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss is He. Seize Him”. ⁴⁹ And immediately having gone to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi”, and kissed Him. ⁵⁰ And Jesus said to him, “Friend, it is for what^[ad] you are here”. Then, having come to Him, they put their hands on Jesus and seized Him. ⁵¹ And behold— one of the ones with Jesus, having stretched-out his hand, withdrew his sword. And having struck the slave of the high priest, he took-off his ear. ⁵² Then Jesus says to him, “Return your sword into its place. For all the ones having taken the sword will perish by the sword. ⁵³ Or do you think^[ae] that I am not able to appeal-to My Father, and He will provide^[af] Me right-now more than twelve legions^[ag] of angels? ⁵⁴ How then would the Scriptures saying that it must take place in this manner be fulfilled?” ⁵⁵ At that hour, Jesus said to the crowds, “Did you come out to arrest Me with swords and clubs as-if against a robber? Daily I was sitting in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. ⁵⁶ But this entire thing has taken place in order that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled”. Then all the disciples, having left^[ah] Him, fled.

Jesus Is Led Before The High Priest And The Sanhedrin. Peter Follows

⁵⁷ Now the ones having seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. ⁵⁸ And Peter was following Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest. And having entered inside, he was sitting with the officers^[ai] to see the outcome.

Jesus Swears Under Oath That He Is The Messiah, The Son of God

⁵⁹ Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false-testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. ⁶⁰ And they did not find it, many false-witnesses having come-forward. But finally, two having come-forward ⁶¹ said, “This One said, ‘I am able to tear-down the temple of God, and to build it in three days’”. ⁶² And having stood up, the high priest said to Him, “Are You answering nothing? What is it these^[aj] ones are testifying against You?” ⁶³ But Jesus was being silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I am putting You under oath^[ak] by the living God that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God”. ⁶⁴ Jesus says to him, “You said^[al] it. Nevertheless, I say to you— from-now-on^[am] you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right side of the Power^[an], and coming on the clouds^[ao] of heaven”. ⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his garments, saying, “He blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See— now you heard the blasphemy. ⁶⁶ What seems right to you?” And the ones, having responded, said, “He is subject-to^[ap] death!” ⁶⁷ Then they spat in His face and beat Him. And the^[aq] ones slapped Him, ⁶⁸ saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ— who is the one having hit You?”

Peter Denies That He Even Knows Jesus

⁶⁹ Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And one servant-girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean”. ⁷⁰ But the one denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are saying”. ⁷¹ And he having gone out to the gate^[ar], another saw him. And she says to the ones there, “This one was with Jesus the Nazarene”. ⁷² And again he denied it with an oath that “I do not know the man”. ⁷³ And having come to him after a little while, the ones standing there said to Peter, “Truly you also are one of them, for even your speaking^[as] makes you evident”. ⁷⁴ Then he began to curse^[at], and to swear-with-an-oath^[au] that “I do not know the man”. And immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵ And Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken^[av]— that “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three-times”. And having gone outside, he wept bitterly.

Footnotes

1. Matthew 26:1 That is, all the words spoken in chapters 24-25; or, that day (21:23-25:46); or, in the public ministry (4:17-25:46).
2. Matthew 26:2 Or, takes place.
3. Matthew 26:3 Or, palace.
4. Matthew 26:4 Or, treachery, cunning.
5. Matthew 26:7 Or, fragrant oil.
6. Matthew 26:10 Or, did a good deed.
7. Matthew 26:10 Or, to, with reference to.
8. Matthew 26:12 Jesus may mean that she knowingly did it for this purpose; or, that she did so without realizing it.
9. Matthew 26:15 This may mean ‘set on a scale’, and thus, weighed out, paid; Or, set as the price, intending to pay upon delivery.
10. Matthew 26:18 Some think Jesus did not name the person so that Judas would not know in advance; others think Matthew did not name the person to protect him from the Jews.
11. Matthew 26:18 That is, observing, performing.
12. Matthew 26:23 That is, It is one of the ones eating with Me.
13. Matthew 26:25 When his turn arrives, Judas asks the same question, which expects a ‘No’ answer.
14. Matthew 26:25 This may simply mean ‘Yes’; or, it may be intentionally ambiguous, leaving the hearers to take it one way (You said it rightly; you are not the one’), but meaning the opposite (You said it falsely; you are the one). The eleven thought Jesus meant the former; Jesus and Judas knew He meant the latter.
15. Matthew 26:26 Or, blessed God.
16. Matthew 26:28 That is, inaugurating the new covenant.
17. Matthew 26:31 That is, in connection with what is going to happen to Me tonight.
18. Matthew 26:33 The grammar means ‘Assuming that all’.
19. Matthew 26:36 Or, as long as. Or, until (until I pray and return).
20. Matthew 26:37 That is, James and John.
21. Matthew 26:39 Or, wish, will.
22. Matthew 26:40 This word is plural.
23. Matthew 26:40 Or, did you not have strength, were you not able.
24. Matthew 26:41 Or, Keep watching and praying, in order that.
25. Matthew 26:41 Jesus may mean the temptation to deny Him as He predicted; or, to sleep.
26. Matthew 26:41 Or, is eager, ready. This willingness may refer to their promise in v 35. Their weak flesh needs spiritual strength if they are to stand firm. Pray for strength so that the upcoming trial does not become a cause of falling for you. Or, Jesus may mean that they want to stay awake, but their body is tired.
27. Matthew 26:44 Or, statement, word of prayer. This word is singular. That is, the same request.
28. Matthew 26:45 Or, Sleep and rest (a command).
29. Matthew 26:45 Or, henceforth, for the remaining time. That is, are you going to sleep away all the remaining time? This sentence may be viewed as a reproach, or as fatherly sympathy.
30. Matthew 26:50 Or, This is for what you are here (just as it has been written, v 24, 56). Or, Is this for what you are here?; or, Do that for which you are here.
31. Matthew 26:53 Or, suppose, imagine, presume.
32. Matthew 26:53 Or, put at My disposal, place beside Me.
33. Matthew 26:53 A Roman legion had about 6000 soldiers, plus horsemen and auxiliaries. Rather than a literal number of angels, Jesus may simply mean ‘a huge, overwhelming force’.
34. Matthew 26:56 Or, abandoned.
35. Matthew 26:58 That is, the temple guards.
36. Matthew 26:62 Or, Are You answering nothing as to what these.
37. Matthew 26:63 Or, causing You to swear. That is, Tell us under oath.
38. Matthew 26:64 Jesus answers them as He did Judas in v 25. Some think it simply means ‘Yes’. Others think its meaning depends on the context. In any case, Jesus does not leave His meaning at all unclear, because He goes on to say ‘Nevertheless’. No matter what you think, I say to you. Then He directly and unequivocally states that He is exactly the Messiah coming in power and glory to carry out judgment that they were expecting. Mk 14:62 says ‘I am’, giving the intent of what is said here.
39. Matthew 26:64 from now on. Or, henceforth. After today, this is how you will next see Me.
40. Matthew 26:64 That is, of God. Or, of power; that is, of God’s power.
41. Matthew 26:64 Sitting on the right side... and coming on the clouds. Jesus is claiming to be the fulfillment of Ps 110:1 and Dan 7:13.
42. Matthew 26:66 Or, liable to, deserving of.
43. Matthew 26:67 Matthew may mean ‘And others’, another group besides the priests and elders in the previous sentence; or, ‘And some’ of the ones in the previous sentence.
44. Matthew 26:71 That is, the gate from the street into the courtyard.
45. Matthew 26:73 That is, your Galilean accent or manner of speaking.
46. Matthew 26:74 That is, to put under a curse, such as, May I be cursed if I know Him.
47. Matthew 26:74 For example, By the heavens, I do not know Him.
48. Matthew 26:75 Or, the word of Jesus, who had said that.