Matthew 26:31-46

Predictions about disciples leaving Jesus

31 Then Jesus said to his disciples, " Tonight you will all fall away because of me. This is because it is written, I will hit the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will go off in all directions.

32 But after I'm raised up, I'll go before you to Galilee."

33 Peter replied, "If everyone else stumbles because of you, I'll never stumble."

34 Jesus said to him, " I assure you that, before the rooster crows tonight, you will deny me three times."

35 Peter said, "Even if I must die alongside you, I won't deny you." All the disciples said the same thing.

Jesus in prayer

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to the disciples, " Stay here while I go and pray over there."

37 When he took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, he began to feel sad and anxious.

38 Then he said to them, " I'm very sad. It's as if I'm dying. Stay here and keep alert with me."

39 Then he went a short distance farther and fell on his face and prayed, " My Father, if it's possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want."

40 He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, " Couldn't you stay alert one hour with me?

41 Stay alert and pray so that you won't give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak."

42 A second time he went away and prayed, " My Father, if it's not possible that this cup be taken away unless I drink it, then let it be what you want."

43 Again he came and found them sleeping. Their eyes were heavy with sleep.

44 But he left them and again went and prayed the same words for the third time.

45 Then he came to his disciples and said to them, " Will you sleep and rest all night? Look, the time has come for the Human One to be betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Get up. Let's go. Look, here comes my betrayer."

Footnotes

• [a]. Zech 13:7
• [b]. Or Son of Man