1 I t was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes were all the while seeking to arrest by secrecy and deceit and put to death,

It was now two days before the supper of the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt and the supper of bread without yeast. The religious leaders and the teachers of the Law tried to trap Jesus. They tried to take Him so they could put Him to death.

2 F or they kept saying, It must not be during the Feast, for fear that there might be a riot of the people.

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

3 A nd while He was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as He was reclining, a woman came with an alabaster jar of ointment ( perfume) of pure nard, very costly and precious; and she broke the jar and poured over His head.

Jesus was in the town of Bethany eating in the house of Simon. Simon was a man with a very bad skin disease. A woman came with a jar of special perfume. She had given much money for this. She broke the jar and poured the special perfume on the head of Jesus.

4 B ut there were some who were moved with indignation and said to themselves, To what purpose was the ointment ( perfume) thus wasted?

Some of them were angry. They said, “Why was this special perfume wasted?

5 F or it was possible to have sold this for more than 300 denarii and to have given to the poor. And they censured and reproved her.

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

6 B ut Jesus said, Let her alone; why are you troubling her? She has done a good and beautiful thing to Me.

Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why are you giving her trouble? She has done a good thing to Me.

7 F or you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you will not always have Me.

You will have poor people with you all the time. Whenever you want, you can do something good for them. You will not have Me all the time.

8 S he has done what she could; she came beforehand to anoint My body for the burial.

She did what she could. She put this perfume on My body to make Me ready for the grave.

9 A nd surely I tell you, wherever the good news (the Gospel) is proclaimed in the entire world, what she has done will be told 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

10 T hen Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray and hand Him over to them.

Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve followers. He went to the head religious leaders of the Jews to talk about how he might hand Jesus over to them.

11 A nd when they heard it, they rejoiced and were delighted, and they promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray Him.

When the leaders heard it, they were glad. They promised to give Judas money. Then he looked for a way to hand Jesus over. Getting Ready for the Special Supper

12 O n the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, disciples said to Him, Where do You wish us to go prepare the Passover for You to eat?

The first day of the supper of bread without yeast was the day to kill an animal. It was for the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. His followers said to Jesus, “What place do You want us to make ready for You to eat this special supper?”

13 A nd He sent two of His disciples and said to them, Go into the city, and a man carrying an jar or pitcher of water will meet you; follow him.

Jesus sent two of His followers on ahead and said to them, “Go into the city. There a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him.

14 A nd whatever he enters, say to the master of the house, The Teacher says: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?

He will go into a house. You say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, “Where is the room you keep for friends, where I can eat this special supper with My followers?”’

15 A nd he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready; there prepare for us.

He will take you to a large room on the second floor with everything in it. Make it ready for us.”

16 T hen the disciples set out and came to the city and found just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

The followers went from there and came into the city. They found everything as Jesus had said. They made things ready for the special supper.

17 A nd when it was evening, He came with the Twelve.

In the evening He came with the twelve followers.

18 A nd while they were at the table eating, Jesus said, Surely I say to you, one of you will betray Me, who is eating with Me.

They sat at the table and ate. Jesus said, “For sure, I tell you, one of you will hand Me over to be killed. He is eating with Me.”

19 A nd they began to show that they were sad and hurt, and to say to Him one after another, Is it I? or, It is not I, is it?

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

20 H e replied to them, It is one of the Twelve, one who is dipping into the dish with Me.

He said to them, “It is one of the twelve followers. It is the one who is putting his hand with mine into the same dish.

21 F or the Son of Man is going as it stands written concerning Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good (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. But it will be bad for that man who hands the Son of Man over to be killed! It would have been better if he had not been born!” The First Lord’s Supper

22 A nd while they were eating, He took a loaf, praised God and gave thanks and asked Him to bless it to their use. He broke and gave to them 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 them and said, “Take, eat, this is My body.”

23 H e also took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave to them, and they all drank of it.

Then He took the cup and gave thanks. He gave it to them and they all drank from it.

24 A nd He said to them, This is My blood the new covenant, which is being poured out for (on account of) many.

He said to them, “This is My blood of the New Way of Worship which is given for many.

25 S olemnly and surely I tell you, I shall not again drink of the fruit of the vine till that day when I drink it of a new and a higher quality in God’s kingdom.

For sure, I tell you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the holy nation of God.”

26 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

27 A nd Jesus said to them, You will all fall away this night, for it stands written, I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep 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 spread everywhere.’

28 B ut after I am raised, I will go before you into Galilee.

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

29 B ut Peter said to Him, Even if they all fall away and are caused to stumble and distrust and desert You, yet I will not!

Peter said to Him, “Even if all men are ashamed of You and leave You, I never will.”

30 A nd Jesus said to him, Truly I tell you, this very night, before a cock crows twice, you will utterly deny Me three times.

Jesus said to him, “For sure, I tell you, that today, even tonight, before a rooster crows two times, you will say three times you do not know Me.”

31 B ut said more vehemently and repeatedly, if it should be necessary for me to die with You, I will not deny or disown You! And they all kept saying the same thing.

Peter spoke with strong words, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never say that I do not know You.” All the followers said the same thing. Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

32 T hen they went to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to His disciples, Sit down here while I pray.

They came to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to His followers, “You sit here while I pray.”

33 A nd He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be struck with terror and amazement and deeply troubled and depressed.

He took Peter and James and John with Him. He began to have much sorrow and a heavy heart.

34 A nd He said to them, My soul is exceedingly sad (overwhelmed with grief) so that it almost kills Me! Remain here and keep awake and be watching.

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.”

35 A nd going a little farther, He fell on the ground and kept praying that if it were possible the '> fatal] hour might pass from Him.

He went a little farther and got down with His face on the ground. He prayed that this time of suffering might pass from Him if it could.

36 A nd He was saying, Abba, Father, everything is possible for You. Take away this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You.

He said, “Father, You can do all things. Take away what must happen to Me. Even so, not what I want, but what You want.”

37 A nd He came back and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, Simon, are you asleep? Have you not the strength to keep awake and watch one hour?

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

38 K eep awake and watch and pray, that you may not enter 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 wants to do this, but the body does not have the power to do it.”

39 H e went away again and prayed, saying the same words.

Again Jesus went away and prayed saying the same words.

40 A nd again He came back and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what answer to give Him.

He came back and found them sleeping again. Their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to Him.

41 A nd He came back a third time and said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinful men (men whose way or nature is to act in opposition to God).

He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! Listen, the time has come when the Son of Man will be handed over to sinners.

42 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 to the head religious leader is near.” Jesus Handed Over to Sinners

43 A nd at once, while He was still speaking, Judas came, one of the Twelve, and with him a crowd of men with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

At once, while Jesus was talking, Judas came. He was one of the twelve followers. He came with many other men who had swords and sticks. They came from the head religious leaders of the Jews and the teachers of the Law and the leaders of the people.

44 N ow the betrayer had given them a signal, saying, The One I shall kiss is; seize Him and lead away safely.

The man who was going to hand Jesus over gave the men something to look for. He said, “The Man I kiss is the One. Take hold of Him and take Him away.”

45 A nd when he came, he went up to Jesus immediately and said, Master! Master! and he embraced Him and kissed Him fervently.

At once Judas went straight to Jesus and said, “Teacher!” and kissed Him.

46 A nd they threw their hands on Him and arrested Him.

Then they put their hands on Him and took Him.

47 B ut one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the bond servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.

One of the followers of Jesus who stood watching took his sword. He hit the servant owned by the head religious leader and cut off his ear.

48 A nd Jesus said to them, Have you come out with swords and clubs as against a robber to capture Me?

Jesus said to them, “Have you come with swords and sticks to take Me as if I were a robber?

49 I was with you daily in the temple '> porches and courts] teaching, and you did not seize Me; but that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.

I have been with you every day teaching in the house of God. You never took hold of Me. But this has happened as the Holy Writings said it would happen.”

50 T hen, forsaking Him, fled, all.

Then all His followers left Him and ran away.

51 A nd a young man was following Him, with nothing but a linen cloth ( sheet) thrown about naked; and they laid hold of him,

A young man was following Him with only a piece of cloth around his body. They put their hands on the young man.

52 B ut, leaving behind the linen cloth ( sheet), he fled from them naked.

Leaving the cloth behind, he ran away with no clothes on. Jesus Stands in Front of the Head Religious Leaders

53 A nd they led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were gathered together.

They led Jesus away to the head religious leader. All the religious leaders and other leaders and the teachers of the Law were gathered there.

54 A nd Peter followed Him at a distance, even right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting '> in the firelight] with the guards and warming himself at the fire.

But Peter followed a long way behind as they went to the house of the head religious leader. He sat with the helpers and got warm by the fire. Jesus Stands in Front of the Court

55 N ow the chief priests and the entire council (the Sanhedrin) were constantly seeking testimony against Jesus with a view to condemning Him and putting Him to death, but they did not find any.

The religious leaders and all the court were looking for something against Jesus. They wanted to find something so they could kill Him. But they could find nothing.

56 F or many were repeatedly bearing false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.

Many came and told false things about Him, but their words did not agree.

57 A nd some stood up and were bearing false witness against Him, saying,

Some got up and said false things against Him. They said,

58 W e heard Him say, I will destroy this temple (sanctuary) which is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, made without hands.

“We have heard Him say, ‘I will destroy the house of God that was made with hands. In three days I will build another that is not made with hands.’”

59 S till not even did their testimony agree.

Even these who spoke against Him were not able to agree.

60 A nd the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, Have You not even one answer to make? What these are testifying against You?

The head religious leader stood up in front of the people. He asked Jesus, “Have You nothing to say? What about the things these men are saying against You?”

61 B ut He kept still and did not answer at all. Again the high priest asked Him, Are You the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), the Son of the Blessed?

Jesus said nothing. Again the head religious leader asked Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Holy One?”

62 A nd Jesus said, I Am; and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power ( the Almighty) and coming on the clouds of heaven.

Jesus said, “I am! And you will see the Son of Man seated on the right side of the All-powerful God. You will see Him coming again in the clouds of the sky.”

63 T hen the high priest tore his garments and said, What need have we for more witnesses?

Then the head religious leader tore his clothes apart. He said, “Do we need other people to speak against Him?

64 Y ou have heard His blasphemy. What is your decision? And they all condemned Him as being guilty and deserving of death.

You have heard Him speak as if He were God! What do you think?” They all said He was guilty of death.

65 A nd some of them began to spit on Him and to blindfold Him and to strike Him with their fists, saying to Him, Prophesy! And the guards received Him with blows and by slapping Him.

Some began to spit on Him. They covered Jesus’ face, and they hit Him. They said, “Tell us what is going to happen.” Soldiers hit Him with their hands. Peter Said He Did Not Know Jesus

66 W hile Peter was down below in the courtyard, one of the maids of the high priest came;

Peter was outside in the yard. One of the servant-girls of the head religious leader came.

67 A nd when she saw Peter warming himself, she gazed intently at him and said, You were with Jesus of Nazareth too.

She saw Peter getting warm. She looked at him and said, “You were with Jesus of Nazareth.”

68 B ut he denied it falsely and disowned Him, saying, I neither know nor understand what you say. Then he went outside into the vestibule. And a cock crowed.

Peter lied, saying, “I do not know Jesus and do not understand what you are talking about.” As he went out, a rooster crowed.

69 A nd the maidservant saw him, and began again to say to the bystanders, This is of them.

The servant-girl saw him again. She said to the people standing around, “This man is one of them.”

70 B ut again he denied it falsely and disowned Him. And after a short while, again the bystanders said to Peter, Really, you are one of them, for you are a Galilean and your dialect shows it.

He lied again saying that he did not know Jesus. Later, those who stood around said to Peter again, “For sure you are one of them. You are from the country of Galilee. You talk like they do.”

71 T hen he commenced invoking a curse on himself and swearing, I do not know the Man about Whom you are talking!

He began to say strong words and to swear. He said, “I do not know the Man you are talking about!”

72 A nd at once for the second time a cock crowed. And Peter remembered how Jesus said to him, Before a cock crows twice, you will utterly deny Me three times. And having put his thought upon it, he broke down and wept aloud and lamented.

At once a rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him, “Before a rooster crows two times, you will say three times you do not know Me.” When he thought about it, he cried.