Matthew 26:26-36

26 While they were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. "Take and eat it," he said; "this is my body."

27 Then he took a cup, gave thanks to God, and gave it to them. "Drink it, all of you," he said;

28 "this is my blood, which seals God's covenant, my blood poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ¹

29 I tell you, I will never again drink this wine until the day I drink the new wine with you in my Father's Kingdom."

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

31 Then Jesus said to them, "This very night all of you will run away and leave me, for the scripture says, "God will kill the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' ²

32 But after I am raised to life, I will go to Galilee ahead of you." ³

33 Peter spoke up and said to Jesus, "I will never leave you, even though all the rest do!"

34 Jesus said to Peter, "I tell you that before the rooster crows tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me."

35 Peter answered, "I will never say that, even if I have to die with you!" And all the other disciples said the same thing.

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

Cross References

• 1. 26.28 aExodus 24.8; bJeremiah 31.31-34.
• 2. 26.31Zechariah 13.7.
• 3. 26.32Matthew 28.16.