[1] It happened, when Jesus had finished all these words, that he said to
his disciples, [2] "You know that after two days the Passover is coming,
and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." [3] Then the
chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered
together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. [4] They
took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit, and kill him.
[5] But they said, "Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the
people." [6] Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the
leper, [7] a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive
ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. [8] But
when his disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?
[9] For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the
poor." [10] But Jesus, knowing this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the
woman? For she has done a good work for me. [11] For you always have the
poor with you; but you don`t always have me. [12] For in that she poured
this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. [13] Most
assuredly I tell you, wherever this gospel will be preached in the whole
world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of
her." [14] Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to
the chief priests, [15] and said, "What are you willing to give me, and I
will deliver him to you?" They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver.
[16] From that time he sought opportunity to betray him. [17] Now on the
first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him,
"Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?" [18] He
said, "Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, `The Teacher
says, "My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my
disciples."`" [19] The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they
prepared the Passover. [20] Now when evening had come, he was reclining at
the table with the twelve disciples. [21] As they were eating, he said,
"Most assuredly I tell you, that one of you will betray me." [22] They were
exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, "It isn`t me, is it,
Lord?" [23] He answered, "He who dipped his hand with me in the dish, the
same will betray me. [24] The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of
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." [25] Judas, who betrayed
him, answered, "It isn`t me, is it, Rabbi?" He said to him, "So you
have said." [26] As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it,
and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my
body." [27] He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, "Drink
all of it, [28] for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured
out for many for the remission of sins. [29] But I tell you that I will not
drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it
anew with you in my Father`s kingdom." [30] When they had sung a hymn, they
went out to the Mount of Olives. [31] Then Jesus said to them, "All of you
will be offended by me tonight, for it is written, `I will strike the
shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered abroad.` [32] But
after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee." [33] But Peter
answered him, "Even if all will be offended by you, I will never be
offended." [34] Jesus said to him, "Most assuredly I tell you, that
tonight, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." [35] Peter
said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you." All of the
disciples also said likewise. [36] Then Jesus came with them to a place
called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go there
and pray." [37] He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and
began to be sorrowful and severely troubled. [38] Then he said to them, "My
soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch with
me." [39] He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying,
"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me;
nevertheless, not what I want, but what you want." [40] He came to the
disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What, couldn`t you
watch with me for one hour? [41] Watch and pray, that you don`t enter into
temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." [42]
Again, a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this
cup can`t pass away from me, unless I drink it, your will be done." [43] He
came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. [44] He left
them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words. [45]
Then he came to his disciples, and said to them, "Sleep on now, and take
your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into
the hands of sinners. [46] Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays
me is at hand." [47] While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the
twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from
the chief priest and elders of the people. [48] Now he who betrayed him
gave them a sign, saying, "Whoever I will kiss, that is he. Take him." [49]
Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed him. [50]
Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then they came and laid
hands on Jesus, and took him. [51] Behold, one of those who were with Jesus
stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the
high priest, and struck off his ear. [52] Then Jesus said to him, "Put your
sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the
sword. [53] Or do you think that I can`t ask my Father, and he would even
now send me more than twelve legions of angels? [54] How then would the
scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?" [55] In that hour Jesus said
to the multitudes, "Have you come out as against a robber with swords and
clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn`t
arrest me. [56] But all this has happened, that the scriptures of the
prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him, and
fled. [57] Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas, the high
priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. [58] But
Peter followed him from a distance, to the court of the high priest, and
entered in, and sat with the officers, to see the end. [59] Now the chief
priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against
Jesus, that they might put him to death; [60] and they found none. Even
though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two
false witnesses came forward, [61] and said, "This man said, `I am able to
destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.`" [62] The high
priest stood up, and answered him, "Have you no answer? What is this that
these testify against you?" [63] But Jesus held his peace. The high priest
said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you
are the Christ, the Son of God." [64] Jesus said to him, "You have said it.
Nevertheless, I tell you, henceforth you will see the Son of Man sitting at
the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky." [65] Then
the high priest tore his clothing, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do
we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy. [66]
What do you think?" They answered, "He is worthy of death!" [67] Then
they spit in his face and beat him with their fists, and some slapped him,
[68] saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who hit you?" [69] Now Peter was
sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, "You were
also with Jesus, the Galilean." [70] But he denied before them all, saying,
"I don`t know what you are talking about." [71] When he had gone out onto
the porch, someone else saw him, and said to those who were there, "This
man also was with Jesus of Nazareth." [72] Again he denied with an oath, "I
don`t know the man." [73] After a little while those who stood by came and
said to Peter, "Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you
known." [74] Then began he to curse and to swear, "I don`t know the man!"
Immediately the cock crowed. [75] Peter remembered the word which Jesus
had said to him, "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." He
went out and wept bitterly.
