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This section ends with one of the saddest sentences in Scripture: “Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.”

BibleGateway: Matthew 26:17-56

ESV Text: Matthew 26:17-56


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 1:42 and ends at about 7:4

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     17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

     26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

     31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

     36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

     47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? 55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 142 (LSB 438):
A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth

Hymnary.org — Organ Audio

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1. A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth, 
The guilt of all men bearing; 
And laden with the sins of earth, 
None else the burden sharing! 
Goes patient on, grows weak and faint, 
To slaughter led without complaint, 
That spotless life to offer; 
Bears shame and stripes, and wounds and death, 
Anguish and mockery, and saith, 
“Willing all this I suffer.” 


2. This Lamb is Christ, the soul’s great Friend, 
The Lamb of God, our Savior; 
Him God the Father chose to send 
To gain for us His favor. 
“Go forth, My Son,” the Father saith, 
“And free men from the fear of death, 
From guilt and condemnation. 
The wrath and stripes are hard to bear, 
But by Thy Passion men shall share 
The fruit of Thy salvation.” 

3. “Yea, Father, yea, most willingly 
I’ll bear what Thou commandest; 
My will conforms to Thy decree, 
I do what Thou demandest.” 
O wondrous Love, what hast Thou done! 
The Father offers up His Son! 
The Son, content, descendeth! 
O Love, how strong Thou art to save! 
Thou beddest Him within the grave 
Whose word the mountains rendeth. 

4. From morn till eve my theme shall be 
Thy mercy’s wondrous measure; 
To sacrifice myself for Thee 
Shall be my aim and pleasure. 
My stream of life shall ever be 
A current flowing ceaselessly, 
Thy constant praise outpouring. 
I’ll treasure in my memory, 
O Lord, all Thou hast done for me, 
Thy gracious love adoring. 

5. Of death I am no more afraid, 
New life from Thee is flowing; 
Thy cross affords me cooling shade 
When noonday’s sun is glowing. 
When by my grief I am opprest, 
On Thee my weary soul shall rest 
Serenely as on pillows. 
Thou art my Anchor when by woe 
My bark is driven to and fro 
On trouble’s surging billows. 

6. And when Thy glory I shall see 
And taste Thy kingdom’s pleasure, 
Thy blood my royal robe shall be, 
My joy beyond all measure. 
When I appear before Thy throne, 
Thy righteousness shall be my crown,- 
With these I need not hide me. 
And there, in garments richly wrought 
As Thine own bride, I shall be brought 
To stand in joy beside Thee.