[1] Now the feast of unleavened bread drew near, which is called the
Passover. [2] The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put
him to death, for they feared the people. [3] Satan entered into Judas, who
was called Iscariot, being numbered with the twelve. [4] He went away, and
talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him
to them. [5] They were glad, and agreed to give him money. [6] He
consented, and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence
of the multitude. [7] The day of unleavened bread came, on which the
Passover must be sacrificed. [8] He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and
prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat." [9] They said to him, "Where
do you want us to prepare?" [10] He said to them, "Behold, when you have
entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you.
Follow him into the house which he enters. [11] 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?"` [12] He will show you a large, furnished
upper room. Make preparations there." [13] They went, found things as he
had told them, and they prepared the Passover. [14] When the hour had come,
he sat down with the twelve apostles. [15] He said to them, "I have
earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, [16] for I
tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in
the kingdom of God." [17] He received a cup, and when he had given thanks,
he said, "Take this, and share it among yourselves, [18] for I tell you, I
will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom
of God comes." [19] He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke
it, and gave to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do
this in memory of me." [20] He took the cup in like manner after supper,
saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, that which is poured out
for you. [21] But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the
table. [22] The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe
to that man through whom he is betrayed!" [23] They began to question among
themselves, which of them it was that would do this thing. [24] There arose
also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest.
[25] He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and
those who have authority over them are called `benefactors.` [26] But not
so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the
lesser, and one who is governing, as one who serves. [27] For who is
greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn`t it he who sits
at the table? But I am in the midst of you as one who serves. [28] But you
are those who have continued with me in my temptations. [29] I appoint to
you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed to me, [30] that you may eat and
drink at my table in my kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the
twelve tribes of Israel." [31] The Lord said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan
asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat, [32] but I prayed for
you, that your faith wouldn`t fail. You, when once you have turned again,
establish your brothers." [33] He said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with
you both to prison and to death!" [34] He said, "I tell you, Peter, the
rooster will by no means crow today, before you deny that you know me three
times." [35] He said to them, "When I sent you out without purse, and
wallet, and shoes, did you lack anything?"     They said, "Nothing." [36]
Then he said to them, "But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and
likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a
sword. [37] For I tell you that this which is written must still be
fulfilled in me: `He was counted with the lawless.` For that which concerns
me has an end." [38] They said, "Lord, behold, here are two swords."    He
said to them, "That is enough." [39] He came out, and went, as his custom
was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him. [40] When he
was at the place, he said to them, "Pray that you don`t enter into
temptation." [41] He was withdrawn from them about a stone`s throw, and he
knelt down and prayed, [42] saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove
this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." [43] An
angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. [44] Being in agony
he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood
falling down on the ground. [45] When he rose up from his prayer, he came
to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief, [46] and said
to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into
temptation." [47] While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he
who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went in front of them. He came
near to Jesus to kiss him. [48] But Jesus said to him, "Judas, do you
betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" [49] When those who were around him saw
what was about to happen, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the
sword?" [50] A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest,
and cut off his right ear. [51] But Jesus answered, "Let me at least do
this" -- and he touched his ear, and healed him. [52] Jesus said to the
chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against
him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? [53]
When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn`t stretch out your hands
against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness." [54] They
seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest`s house.
But Peter followed from a distance. [55] When they had kindled a fire in
the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst
of them. [56] A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and
looking intently at him, said, "This man also was with him." [57] He denied
Jesus, saying, "Woman, I don`t know him." [58] After a little while someone
else saw him, and said, "You also are one of them!" But Peter answered,
"Man, I am not!" [59] After about one hour passed, another confidently
affirmed, saying, "Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean!"
[60] But Peter said, "Man, I don`t know what you are talking about!"
Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. [61] The Lord
turned, and looked at Peter. Peter remembered the Lord`s word, how he said
to him, "Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times." [62] He
went out, and wept bitterly. [63] The men who held Jesus mocked him and
beat him. [64] Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and
asked him, "Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?" [65] They spoke many
other things against him, insulting him. [66] As soon as it was day, the
assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief
priests and scribes, and they led him away into their council, saying, [67]
"If you are the Christ, tell us."     But he said to them, "If I tell you,
you won`t believe, [68] and if I ask, you will in no way answer me or let
me go. [69] From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of
the power of God." [70] They all said, "Are you then the Son of God?"
He said to them, "You say it, because I AM." [71] They said, "Why do we
need any more witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth!"