The Plot to Kill Jesus
1Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread 97were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.
2“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
3While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, 98a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.
4Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume?
5It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii 99and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.
6But Jesus said, “Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.
7The poor you will always have with you, 100and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me.
8She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.
9And truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
10Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.
11They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money.
So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
Preparing the Passover
12On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, 101when the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
13So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him,
14and whichever house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’
15And he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
16So the disciples left and went into the city, where they found everything as Jesus had described. And they prepared the Passover.
The Last Supper
17When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.
18And while they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you who is eating with Me will betray Me.”
19They began to be grieved and to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I?”
20He answered, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping his hand 102into the bowl with Me.
21The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
22While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it; this is My body.”
23Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
24He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, 103which is poured out for many.
25Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”
26And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
27Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, 104for it is written:
‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 105
28But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
29Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I never will.”
30“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”
31But Peter kept insisting, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the others said the same thing.
Jesus Prays at Gethsemane
32Then they came to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus told His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
33He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed.
34Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”
35Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour would pass from Him.
36“Abba, Father,” He said, “all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
37Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked. “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour?
38Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
39Again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing.
40And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And they did not know what to answer Him.
41When Jesus returned the third time, He said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
42Rise, let us go. See, My betrayer is approaching!”
The Betrayal of Jesus
43While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders.
44Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.”
45Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
46Then the men seized Jesus and arrested Him.
47And one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48Jesus asked the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw?
49Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, 106and you did not arrest Me. But this has happened that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.”
50Then everyone deserted Him and fled.
51One young man who had been following Jesus was wearing a linen cloth around his body. They caught hold of him,
52but he pulled free of the linen cloth and ran away naked.
Jesus before the Sanhedrin
53They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders, and scribes assembled.
54Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the officers and warmed himself by the fire.
55Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin 107were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any.
56For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent.
57Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him:
58“We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple, and in three days I will build another that is made without hands.’”
59But even their testimony was inconsistent.
60So the high priest stood up before them and questioned Jesus, “Have You no answer? What are these men testifying against You?”
61But Jesus remained silent and made no reply.
Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62“I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power 108and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 109
63At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “Why do we need any more witnesses?
64You have heard the blasphemy. What is your verdict?”
And they all condemned Him as deserving of death.
65Then some of them began to spit on Him. They blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in His face.
Peter Denies Jesus
66While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the servant girls of the high priest came down
67and saw him warming himself there. She looked at Peter and said, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.”
68But he denied it. “I do not know or even understand what you are talking about,” he said. Then he went out to the gateway, and the rooster crowed. 110
69There the servant girl saw him and again said to those standing nearby, “This man is one of them.”
70But he denied it again.
After a little while, those standing nearby said once more to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you too are a Galilean.” 111
71But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak!”
72And immediately the rooster crowed a second time.
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
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