The Plot to Kill Jesus
1 It 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 Jesus by deception and kill him. 2 For they said, “Not during the feast, because there might be a riot among the people.”
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
3 While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, reclining at the table, a woman came with a very costly alabaster jar of perfume of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured it over his head. 4 But some were indignant and said to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? 5 For this might have been sold for more than 300 denarii and given to the poor.” So they admonished her sternly.
6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why are you causing trouble for her? She has done a good work for me. 7 Indeed, you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish, you are always able to do good things for them; but you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She has anointed my body for burial. 9 Most certainly I tell you, wherever the Gospel may be preached throughout the whole world, what this woman has done will be spoken of as a memorial of her.”
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
10 Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver Jesus to them. 11 When they heard this, they were glad and promised to give him money. Judas sought how he might conveniently deliver Jesus.
The Last Supper
12 On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?”
13 He 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, 14 and 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?’ 15 He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Prepare for us there.”
16 His disciples went out and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
17 When it was evening, he came with the twelve disciples. 18 As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me—he who eats with me.”
19 They began to be sorrowful and to ask him one by one, “Surely not I?” And another said, “Surely not I?”
20 He answered them, “It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish. 21 For the Son of Man will go, just 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 Lord’s Supper Instituted
22 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed it, he broke it and gave it to them and said, “Take it. This is my body.”
23 He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Most certainly I tell you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in the Kingdom of God.” 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
27 Jesus 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.’ 28 However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”
29 But Peter said to him, “Although all fall away, yet I will not.”
30 Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you, that you today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”
31 But more emphatically Peter said, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” They all said likewise.
Jesus Prays at Gethsemane
32 They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.” 33 He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and deeply distressed. 34 He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”
35 He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Please remove this cup from me. Nonetheless, not what I will, but what you will.”
37 He came and found them sleeping and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.”
39 Again he went away and prayed and spoke the same words. 40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again (for their eyes were heavy), and they did not know what to answer him. 41 He came the third time and said to them, “Sleep on now and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up! Let’s get going. He who betrays me is at hand.”
Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest
43 Immediately, 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. 44 Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, that is he. Seize him and lead him away securely.” 45 When he had come, he went straight up to him and said, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 They laid their hands on him and seized him. 47 But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48 Jesus answered them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? 49 I was with you every day in the temple, teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.”
50 They all left him and fled. 51 A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself over his naked body. The young men grabbed him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked. 53 They led Jesus away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes came together with him.
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
54 Peter had followed Jesus 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. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death and found none. 56 For many bore false testimony against him, but their testimonies were not consistent. 57 Some arose and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another not made with hands.’ ” 59 Even so, their testimony did not agree.
60 The high priest stood up in the middle of them and asked Jesus, “Have you nothing to answer for what these men are testifying against you?” 61 But he held his peace and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62 Jesus said, “I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
63 The high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need have we of witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” They all condemned him to be worthy of death. 65 Some 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.
Peter Denies Jesus
66 As Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the maids of the high priest came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, “You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus!”
68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know, nor understand what you are saying.” He went out on the porch, and the rooster crowed.
69 The maid saw him, and began again to tell those who stood by, “This is one of them.” 70 But 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.” 71 But he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak!” 72 The rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the words Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And when he thought on this, he wept.