Matthew 26:18-38

18 "Go into the city," He replied, "to a certain man, and tell him, `The Teacher says, My time is close at hand. It is at your house that I shall keep the Passover with my disciples.'"

19 The disciples did as Jesus directed them, and got the Passover ready.

20 When evening came, He was at table with the twelve disciples,

21 and the meal was proceeding, when Jesus said, "In solemn truth I tell you that one of you will betray me."

22 Intensely grieved they began one after another to ask Him, "Can it be I, Master?"

23 "The one who has dipped his fingers in the bowl with me," He answered, "is the man who will betray me.

24 The Son of Man is indeed going as is written concerning Him; but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had been a happy thing for that man if he had never been born."

25 Then Judas, the disciple who was betraying Him, asked, "Can it be I, Rabbi?" "It is you," He replied.

26 During the meal Jesus took a Passover biscuit, blessed it and broke it. He then gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it: it is my body."

27 And 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 which is to be poured out for many for the remission of sins--the blood which ratifies the Covenant.

29 I tell you that I will never again take the produce of the vine till that day when I shall drink the new wine with you in my Father's Kingdom."

30 So they sang the hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

31 Then said Jesus, "This night all of you will stumble and fail in your fidelity to me; for it is written, `I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered in all directions.'

32 But after I have risen to life again I will go before you into Galilee."

33 "All may stumble and fail," said Peter, "but I never will."

34 "In solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that this very night, before the cock crows, you will three times disown me."

35 "Even if I must die with you," declared Peter, "I will never disown you." In like manner protested all the disciples.

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane. And He said to the disciples, "Sit down here, whilst I go yonder and there pray."

37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zabdi. Then He began to be full of anguish and distress,

38 and He said to them, "My soul is crushed with anguish to the very point of death; wait here, and keep awake with me."