Common English Bible

Matthew 26:21-38 Common English Bible (CEB)

21. As they were eating he said, "I assure you that one of you will betray me."

22. Deeply saddened, each one said to him, "I’m not the one, am I, Lord?"

23. He replied, "The one who will betray me is the one who dips his hand with me into this bowl.

24. The Human One goes to his death just as it is written about him. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays the Human One! It would have been better for him if he had never been born."

25. Now Judas, who would betray him, replied, "It’s not me, is it, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "You said it."

26. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take and eat. This is my body."

27. He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from this, all of you.

28. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many so that their sins may be forgiven.

29. I tell you, I won’t drink wine again until that day when I drink it in a new way with you in my Father’s kingdom."

30. Then, after singing songs of praise, they went to the Mount of Olives.

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.

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."