[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 sieze
him by deception, and kill him. [2] For they said, "Not during the feast,
because there might be a riot of the people." [3] While he was at Bethany,
in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, there came a woman
having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard -- very costly. She broke
the jar, and poured it over his head. [4] But there were some who had
indignation among themselves, saying, "Why has this ointment been wasted?
[5] For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and
given to the poor." They grumbled against her. [6] But Jesus said, "Leave
her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me. [7] For
you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do
them good; but you will not always have me. [8] She has done what she
could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying. [9] Most
assuredly I tell you, wherever this gospel may be preached throughout the
whole world, that also which this woman has done will be spoken of for a
memorial of her." [10] Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away
to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them. [11] They, when
they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he
might conveniently deliver him. [12] On the first day of unleavened bread,
when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, "Where do you
want us to go and make ready 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. Make ready
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. [18] As they sat and were
eating, Jesus said, "Most assuredly 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 goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to
that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for
that man if he had not been born." [22] As 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." [23] He took the cup, and when he had given
thanks, he gave to them. 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
assuredly I tell you, I will no more drink 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 will be offended, yet I will
not." [30] Jesus said to him, "Most assuredly I tell you, that you today,
even this night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three
times." [31] But he spoke all the more, "If I must die with you, I will not
deny you." Likewise, they all said so. [32] They came to a place which was
named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I pray." [33]
He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly alarmed
and 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 away from him. [36] He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to
you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I want, but what you
want." [37] He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are
you sleeping? Couldn`t you watch one hour? [38] Watch and pray, that you
not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is
weak." [39] Again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words. [40]
Again he returned, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy,
and they didn`t 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. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [42]
Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand." [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, "Whoever I will kiss, that is he. Take him, and lead him away
safely." [45] When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said,
"Rabbi! Rabbi!" and kissed him. [46] They laid their hands on him, and took
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 daily with you 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 with him, having a linen cloth thrown around him, 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. There came
together with him all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. [54]
Peter had followed him afar off, 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
gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn`t agree with
each other. [57] Some stood up, 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 made without hands.`"
[59] Even so their testimony did not agree. [60] The high priest stood up
in the midst, and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer? What is it which these
testify against you?" [61] But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again
the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"
[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 the sky." [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. [66] As Peter was beneath in the
court, 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 into the porch, and the cock
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 don`t know this man of whom you speak!" [72] The cock crowed
the second time. Peter remembered the word, how that Jesus said to him,
"Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." When he
thought about that, he wept.
