1 I t was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception, and 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 F or they said, “Not during the feast, because 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 W hile he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard—very costly. She broke the jar, and 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 B ut there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, “Why has this ointment been wasted?

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

5 F or this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor.” They grumbled 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, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for 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 want to, you can do them good; 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 has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.

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

9 M ost certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also 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 J udas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him 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 T hey, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver 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 sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare that you 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 H e sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying 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 enters in, tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the 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 H e will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Get ready for us there.”

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

16 H is disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to 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 W hen it was evening he came with the twelve.

In the evening He came with the twelve followers.

18 A s they sat and were eating, Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me—he who eats 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 T hey began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, “Surely not I?” And another said, “Surely not I?”

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

20 H e answered them, “It is one of the twelve, he who 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 F or the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not 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 s they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed, he 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 H e took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. 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 H e said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.

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

25 M ost certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew 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 W hen 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 J esus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is 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 H owever, after I am raised up, 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, “Although all will be offended, yet I will not.”

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

30 J esus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you, that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will 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 all the more, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” They all said 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 hey came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.”

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

33 H e took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed.

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

34 H e said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay 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 H e went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away 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 H e said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire.”

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 H e came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you 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 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 A gain he went away, and prayed, saying the same words.

Again Jesus went away and prayed saying the same words.

40 A gain he returned, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they didn’t 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 H e came the third time, and said to them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of 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 A rise, let us be going. Behold, he who 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 I mmediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, 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 he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him 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 W hen he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed him.

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

46 T hey laid their hands on him, and seized him.

Then they put their hands on Him and took Him.

47 B ut a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the 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 J esus answered them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize 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 you didn’t arrest me. But this is so 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 hey all left him, and fled.

Then all His followers left Him and ran away.

51 A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself, over his naked body. The young men grabbed 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 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 T hey led Jesus away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes came together with him.

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 P eter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of 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 whole council sought witnesses 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 gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn’t agree with each other.

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

57 S ome stood up, and gave false testimony against him, saying,

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

58 “ We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that 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 E ven so, their testimony did not agree.

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

60 T he high priest stood up in the middle, and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it which these testify 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 stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you 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 J esus said, “I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky.”

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 he high priest tore his clothes, and said, “What further need have we of 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 the blasphemy! What do you think?” They all condemned him to be worthy 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 S ome began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, “Prophesy!” The officers 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 A s Peter was in the courtyard below, 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 seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, “You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus!”

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

68 B ut he denied it, saying, “I neither know, nor understand what you are saying.” He went out on the porch, and the rooster 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 T he maid saw him, and began again to tell those who 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 again denied it. After a little while again those who stood by said to Peter, “You truly are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech 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 B ut he began to curse, and to swear, “I don’t know this man of whom you speak!”

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

72 T he rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the word, how that Jesus said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” When he thought about that, 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.