1 ¶ Two days after was the passover and the days of unleavened bread; and the princes of the priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, that they might kill him.

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 B ut they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar 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 he being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, sitting at the table, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and breaking the alabaster, she poured it 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 A nd there were some that had indignation within themselves and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

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

5 F or it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarius and given to the poor. And they murmured against 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 trouble ye her? She has wrought a good work on me.

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

7 F or ye have the poor with you always, and whenever ye will, ye may do them good; but me ye have not always.

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, for she has anticipated anointing 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 V erily I say unto you, Wherever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she has done shall be spoken of for a memorial 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, one of the twelve, came unto the princes of the priests to deliver him unto 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 were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently 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 ¶ And the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou may eat the passover?

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 sends forth two of his disciples and said unto them, Go into the city, and a man shall meet you bearing a pitcher of water; 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 wherever he shall go in, say to the husband of the house, The Master says, Where is the guestchamber where I shall 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 prepared: there make ready for us.

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

16 A nd his disciples went forth and came into the city and found as he had said unto them, and they made ready 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 in the evening he went with the twelve.

In the evening He came with the twelve followers.

18 A nd when they sat at the table and ate, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you who eats with me shall betray 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 be sorrowful and to say unto him one by one, shall it be I? and another said, shall it be I?

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

20 A nd he, answering, said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dips with me in the dish.

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 T he Son of man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it 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 as they were eating, Jesus took bread and, blessing it, broke it 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 A nd taking the cup, having given thanks, he gave it 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 unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

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

25 V erily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

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 the hymn, they went out into 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 T hen Jesus said unto them, All ye shall be scandalized in me this night; for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall 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 have risen, 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 T hen Peter said unto him, Although all be scandalized, 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 unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crows twice, thou shalt 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 he spoke the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said the others.

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 ¶ And they come to the place which is named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, Sit ye 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 takes with him Peter and James and John and began to be alarmed and to be anguished

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

34 a nd said unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death; tarry ye here, and watch.

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 he went forward a little and fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the 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 said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me; nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

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 and found them sleeping and said unto Peter: Simon, sleepest thou? Could thou not 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 W atch ye and pray; enter not into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is sick.

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 A nd again he went away and prayed and spoke the same words.

Again Jesus went away and prayed saying the same words.

40 A nd when he returned, he found them asleep again (for their eyes were heavy), nor did they know what to answer 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 the third time and said unto them, Sleep on now and rest; it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of the sinners.

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 R ise up, let us go; behold, he that betrays me 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 ¶ And immediately, while he yet spoke, Judas came, who was one of the twelve, and with him a multitude with swords and staves from the princes of the priests and of the scribes and of 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 A nd he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him and lead him away securely.

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 as soon as he was come, he went straightway to him and said, Master, Master, and kissed him.

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

46 A nd they laid their hands on him and took him.

Then they put their hands on Him and took Him.

47 A nd one of them that stood by drew a sword and smote the slave 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, answering, said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

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

49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not, but it is this way 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 A nd they all forsook him and fled.

Then all His followers left Him and ran away.

51 A nd there followed him a certain young man having a linen cloth cast about his naked body, and the young men laid hold on 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 a nd he left the linen cloth and 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 ¶ And they brought Jesus to the high priest, and with him were assembled all the princes of the priests and the elders and the scribes.

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 B ut Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest, and he was seated with the servants 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 A nd the princes of the priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death and found none.

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 bore false witness against him, but their witness did not agree together.

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

57 A nd there arose some that bore 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 that is made with hands, and within 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 B ut neither so did their witness agree together.

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

60 S o the high priest, standing up in the midst, asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing to what these witness against thee?

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 was silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, 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 unto him, I AM, and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the power of God and coming in the clouds of the 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 rent his clothes and said, What need have we any more for witnesses?

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

64 Y e have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty 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 began to spit on him and to cover his face and to buffet him and to say unto him, Prophesy. And the servants struck him with the palms of their hands.

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 ¶ And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there came one of the maids of the high priest;

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, looking upon him, said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

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

68 B ut he denied, saying, I know him not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

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 maid seeing him again began to say to those that stood by, This is one of them.

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

70 B ut he denied it again. And a little after, those that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them, for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agrees unto 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 A nd he began to curse and to swear, saying, I do not know this man of whom ye speak.

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

72 A nd the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the words that Jesus had said unto him, Before the cock crows twice, thou shalt deny me three times. And thinking on this, he wept.

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.