A New Covenant, A New Life

Jesus Celebrates Passover with His Disciples

17. Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 18. And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’” 19. So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover. 20. When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. 21. Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22. And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” 23. He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. 24. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” 25. Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.”

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper

26. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28. For this is My blood of the new 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 on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” 30. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.



Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial


31. Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:

‘ I will strike the Shepherd,

And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

- (Zechariah 13:7)

32. But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33. Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” 34. Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35. Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.

The Prayer in the Garden

36. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37. And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” 39. He went a little farther 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 sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42. Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43. And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44. So He left them, 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 being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane

47. And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.” 49. Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50. But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. 51. And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52. But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54. How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?” 55. In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. 56. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

Matthew 26: 17-56 (New King James)