1 W hen Jesus had ended this discourse, He said to His disciples,

When Jesus had finished all this teaching, He said to His followers,

2 Y ou know that the Passover is in two days—and the Son of Man will be delivered up treacherously to be crucified.

“You know that the special religious supper to remember how the Jews left Egypt is in two days. The Son of Man will be handed over to be nailed to a cross.”

3 T hen the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the '> open] court of the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,

The religious leaders and the leaders of the people gathered at the house of the head religious leader. His name was Caiaphas.

4 A nd consulted together in order to arrest Jesus by stratagem secretly and put Him to death.

They talked together how they might trap Jesus and kill Him.

5 B ut they said, It must not be during the Feast, for fear that there will be a riot among the people.

But they said, “This must not happen on the day of the special supper. The people would be against it. They would make much trouble.” Mary of Bethany Puts Special Perfume on Jesus

6 N ow when Jesus came back to Bethany and was in the house of Simon the leper,

Jesus was in the town of Bethany in the house of Simon. Simon had a very bad skin disease.

7 A woman came up to Him with an alabaster flask of very precious perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at table.

A woman came with a jar of perfume. She had given much money for this. As Jesus ate, she poured the perfume on His head.

8 A nd when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, For what purpose is all this waste?

When the followers saw it, they were angry. They said, “Why was this wasted?

9 F or this perfume might have been sold for a large sum and the money given to the poor.

This perfume could have been sold for much money and given to poor people.”

10 B ut Jesus, fully aware of this, said to them, Why do you bother the woman? She has done a noble (praiseworthy and beautiful) thing to Me.

Jesus knew what they were saying. He said to them, “Why are you giving this woman trouble? She has done a good thing to Me.

11 F or you always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.

You will have poor people with you all the time. But you will not have Me with you all the time.

12 I n pouring this perfume on My body she has done something to prepare Me for My burial.

She put this perfume on My body to make it ready for the grave.

13 T ruly I tell you, wherever this good news (the Gospel) is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be told also, in memory of her.

For sure, I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in all the world, this woman will be remembered for what she has done.” Judas Hands Jesus Over to Be Killed

14 T hen one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests

Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve followers. He went to the religious leaders of the Jews.

15 A nd said, What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you? And they weighed out for and paid to him thirty pieces of silver.

He said, “What will you pay me if I hand Jesus over to you?” They promised to pay him thirty pieces of silver.

16 A nd from that moment he sought a fitting opportunity to betray Him.

From that time on Judas looked for a way to hand Jesus over to them. Getting Ready for the Special Supper

17 N ow on the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said to Him, Where do You wish us to prepare for You to eat the Passover supper?

On the first day of the supper of bread without yeast the followers came to Jesus. They said, “What place do You want us to make ready for You to eat the supper of the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt?”

18 H e said, Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, The Master says: My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.

He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I will eat the special supper at your house with My followers.”’”

19 A nd accordingly the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they made ready the Passover supper.

The followers did as Jesus told them. They made things ready for this special supper. The Last Special Supper

20 W hen it was evening, He was reclining at table with the twelve disciples.

When evening came, Jesus sat with the twelve followers.

21 A nd as they were eating, He said, Solemnly I say to you, one of you will betray Me!

As they were eating, Jesus said, “For sure, I tell you, one of you will hand Me over.”

22 T hey were exceedingly pained and distressed and deeply hurt and sorrowful and began to say to Him one after another, Surely it cannot be I, Lord, can it?

They were very sad. They said to Him one after the other, “Lord, is it I?”

23 H e replied, He who has dipped his hand in the same dish with Me will betray Me!

He said, “The one who will hand Me over is the one who has just put his hand with Mine in the dish.

24 T he Son of Man is going just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better (more profitable and wholesome) for that man if he had never been born!

The Son of Man is going away as it is written of Him. It is bad for that man who hands the Son of Man over! It would have been better if he had not been born!”

25 J udas, the betrayer, said, Surely it is not I, is it, Master? He said to him, You have stated.

Judas was the one who was handing Jesus over. He said, “Teacher, am I the one?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it.” The First Lord’s Supper

26 N ow as they were eating, Jesus took bread and, praising God, gave thanks and asked Him to bless it to their use, and when He had broken it, He gave it to the disciples and said, Take, eat; this is My body.

As they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread. He gave thanks and broke it in pieces. He gave it to His followers and said, “Take, eat, this is My body.”

27 A nd He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you;

Then He took the cup and gave thanks. He gave it to them and said, “You must all drink from it.

28 F or this is My blood of the new covenant, which '> ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

This is My blood of the New Way of Worship which is given for many. It is given so the sins of many can be forgiven.

29 I say to you, I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it with you new and of superior quality in My Father’s kingdom.

I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until that day when I will drink it new with you in the holy nation of My Father.”

30 A nd when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

After they sang a song they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus Tells How Peter Will Lie about Him

31 T hen Jesus said to them, You will all be offended and stumble and fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.

Jesus said to them, “All of you will be ashamed of Me and leave Me tonight. For it is written, ‘I will kill the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be spread everywhere.’

32 B ut after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.

After I am raised from the dead, I will go before you to the country of Galilee.”

33 P eter declared to Him, Though they all are offended and stumble and fall away because of You, I will never do so.

Peter said to Jesus, “Even if all men give up and turn away because of You, I will never.”

34 J esus said to him, Solemnly I declare to you, this very night, before a single rooster crows, you will deny and disown Me three times.

Jesus said to him, “For sure, I tell you, before a rooster crows this night, you will say three times you do not know Me.”

35 P eter said to Him, Even if I must die with You, I will not deny or disown You! And all the disciples said the same thing.

Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never say I do not know You.” And all the followers said the same thing. Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

36 T hen Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, Sit down here while I go over yonder and pray.

Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, “You sit here while I go over there to pray.”

37 A nd taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to show grief and distress of mind and was deeply depressed.

He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him. He began to have much sorrow and a heavy heart.

38 T hen He said to them, My soul is very sad and deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and keep awake and keep watch with Me.

Then He said to them, “My soul is very sad. My soul is so full of sorrow I am ready to die. You stay here and watch with Me.”

39 A nd going a little farther, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but as You will and desire.

He went on a little farther and got down with His face on the ground. He prayed, “My Father, if it can be done, take away what is before Me. Even so, not what I want but what You want.”

40 A nd He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, What! Are you so utterly unable to stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour?

Then He came to the followers and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Were you not able to watch with Me one hour?

41 A ll of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Watch and pray so that you will not be tempted. Man’s spirit is willing, but the body does not have the power to do it.”

42 A gain a second time He went away and prayed, My Father, if this cannot pass by unless I drink it, Your will be done.

He went away again the second time. He prayed, saying, “My Father, if this must happen to Me, may whatever You want be done.”

43 A nd again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were weighed down with sleep.

He came and found them asleep again. Their eyes were heavy.

44 S o, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, using the same words.

He went away from them the third time and prayed the same prayer.

45 T hen He returned to the disciples and said to them, Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of especially wicked sinners '> whose way or nature it is to act in opposition to God].

Then He came to His followers and asked them, “Are you still sleeping and getting your rest? As I speak, the time has come when the Son of Man will be handed over to sinners.

46 G et up, let us be going! See, My betrayer is at hand!

Get up and let us go. See! The man who will hand Me over is near.” Jesus Handed Over to Sinners

47 A s He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came up, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Judas, one of the twelve followers, came while Jesus was talking. He came with many others who had swords and sticks. They came from the religious leaders of the Jews and the leaders of the people.

48 N ow the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, The One I shall kiss is the Man; seize Him.

The man who handed Jesus over gave the men something to look for. He said, “The One I kiss is the One you want. Take Him!”

49 A nd he came up to Jesus at once and said, Hail (greetings, good health to You, long life to You), Master! And he embraced Him and kissed Him with warmth and devotion.

At once Judas went up to Jesus and said, “Hello, Teacher,” and kissed Him.

50 J esus said to him, Friend, for what are you here? Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him.

Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came and put their hands on Jesus and took Him.

51 A nd behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword and, striking the body servant of the high priest, cut off his ear.

One of those with Jesus took his sword. He hit the servant who was owned by the religious leader and cut off his ear.

52 T hen Jesus said to him, Put your sword back into its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back where it belongs. Everyone who uses a sword will die with a sword.

53 D o you suppose that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will immediately provide Me with more than twelve legions '> more than 80, 000] of angels?

Do you not think that I can pray to My Father? At once He would send Me more than 70, 000 angels.

54 B ut how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must come about this way?

If I did, how could it happen as the Holy Writings said it would happen? It must be this way.”

55 A t that moment Jesus said to the crowds, Have you come out with swords and clubs as against a robber to capture Me? Day after day I was accustomed to sit in the porches and courts of the temple teaching, and you did not arrest Me.

Then Jesus said to the many people, “Have you come with swords and sticks to take Me as if I were a robber? I have been with you every day teaching in the house of God. You never put your hands on Me then.

56 B ut all this has taken place in order that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted Him and, fleeing, escaped.

But this has happened as the early preachers said in the Holy Writings it would happen.” Then all the followers left Him and ran away. Jesus Stands in Front of the Religious Leaders

57 B ut those who had seized Jesus took Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled.

Those who had taken Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas. He was the head religious leader. The teachers of the Law and the other leaders were gathered there.

58 B ut Peter followed Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest’s home; he even went inside and sat with the guards to see the end.

But Peter followed Him a long way behind while going to the house of the head religious leader. Then he went in and sat with the helpers to see what would happen.

59 N ow the chief priests and the whole council (the Sanhedrin) sought to get false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death;

The religious leaders and the other leaders and all the court were looking for false things to say against Jesus. They wanted some reason to kill Him.

60 B ut they found none, though many witnesses came forward. At last two men came forward

They found none, but many came and told false things about Him. At last two came to the front.

61 A nd testified, This Fellow said, I am able to tear down the sanctuary of the temple of God and to build it up again in three days.

They said, “This Man said, ‘I am able to destroy the house of God and build it up again in three days.’”

62 A nd the high priest stood up and said, Have You no answer to make? What about this that these men testify against You?

Then the head religious leader stood up. He said to Jesus, “Have You nothing to say? What about the things these men are saying against You?”

63 B ut Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, I call upon you to swear by the living God, and tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus said nothing. Then the head religious leader said to Him, “In the name of the living God, I tell You to say the truth. Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

64 J esus said to him, You have stated. More than that, I tell you: You will in the future see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Almighty and coming on the clouds of the sky.

Jesus said to him, “What you said is true. I say to you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated on the right hand of the All-powerful God. You will see Him coming on the clouds of the sky.”

65 T hen the high priest tore his clothes and exclaimed, He has uttered blasphemy! What need have we of further evidence? You have now heard His blasphemy.

Then the head religious leader tore his clothes apart. He said, “He has spoken as if He were God! Do we need other people to speak against Him yet? You have heard Him speak as if He were God!

66 W hat do you think now? They answered, He deserves to be put to death.

What do you think?” They said, “He is guilty of death!”

67 T hen they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists; and some slapped Him in the face,

Then they spit on His face. They hit Him with their hands. Others beat Him.

68 S aying, Prophesy to us, You Christ (the Messiah)! Who was it that struck You?

They said, “Tell us, Christ, You Who can tell what is going to happen, who hit You?” Peter Said He Did Not Know Jesus

69 N ow Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and one maid came up to him and said, You were also with Jesus the Galilean!

Peter sat outside in the yard. A young servant-girl came to him. She said, “You were also with Jesus Who is from the country of Galilee!”

70 B ut he denied it falsely before them all, saying, I do not know what you mean.

But Peter lied in front of all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.”

71 A nd when he had gone out to the porch, another maid saw him, and she said to the bystanders, This fellow was with Jesus the Nazarene!

After he had gone out, another young servant-girl saw him. She said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 A nd again he denied it and disowned Him with an oath, saying, I do not know the Man!

Again he lied and swore, “I do not know this Man!”

73 A fter a little while, the bystanders came up and said to Peter, You certainly are one of them too, for even your accent betrays you.

After a little while some of the people standing around came up to Peter and said, “For sure, you are one of them. You talk like they do.”

74 T hen Peter began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, I do not even know the Man! And at that moment a rooster crowed.

Then he began to say bad words and swear. He said, “I do not know the Man!” At once a rooster crowed.

75 A nd Peter remembered Jesus’ words, when He had said, Before a single rooster crows, you will deny and disown Me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter remembered the words Jesus had said to him, “Before a rooster crows, you will say three times you do not know Me.” Peter went outside and cried with loud cries.