Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the
Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to
put him to death, for they feared the people.
Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the
number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief
priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were
glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an
opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb
had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and
prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” They said to him,
“Where will you have us prepare it?” He said to them, “Behold, when
you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet
you. Follow him into the house that he enters and tell the master
of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room,
where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show
you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” And they went
and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the
Passover.
And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles
with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat
this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not
eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a
cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide
it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not
drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And
he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave
it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do
this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had
eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new
covenant in my blood. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is
with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been
determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” And they
began to question one another, which of them it could be who was
going to do this.
A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be
regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the
Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over
them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the
greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one
who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or
one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am
among you as the one who serves.
“You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign
to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat
and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the
twelve tribes of Israel.
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might
sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may
not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your
brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both
to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the
rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you
know me.”
And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or
knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”
He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it,
and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his
cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be
fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For
what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said,
“Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is
enough.”
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of
Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the
place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into
temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and
knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove
this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.
And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became
like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he
rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping
for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and
pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man
called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to
Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray
the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw
what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the
sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and
cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he
touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief
priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out
against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords
and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did
not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of
darkness.”
Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high
priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when
they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down
together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing
him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This
man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not
know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You
also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after
an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying,
“Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.”
But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.”
And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the
saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster
crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and
wept bitterly.
Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as
they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him,
“Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” And they said many other
things against him, blaspheming him.
When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered
together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to
their council, and they said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But
he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask
you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man shall be
seated at the right hand of the power of God.” So they all said,
“Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that
I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have
heard it ourselves from his own lips.”
