The Preacher's Bible

Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. ²The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people. ³Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve. ⁴He went away and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them. ⁵They were glad, and agreed to give him money. ⁶He consented and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude. ⁷The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed. ⁸Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”

⁹They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare?”

¹⁰He 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. ¹¹Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ ¹²He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there.”

¹³They went, found things as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover. ¹⁴When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles. ¹⁵He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, ¹⁶for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.” ¹⁷He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves, ¹⁸for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.”

¹⁹He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” ²⁰Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. ²¹But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. ²²The Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!”

²³They began to question among themselves which of them it was who would do this thing. ²⁴A dispute also arose among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ ²⁶But not so with you. Rather, the one who is greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. ²⁷For 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 among you as one who serves. ²⁸“But you are those who have continued with me in my trials. ²⁹I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, ³⁰that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

³¹The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have all of you, that he might sift you as wheat, ³²but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”

³³He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!”

³⁴He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times.”

³⁵He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”

³⁸They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.” He said to them, “That is enough.”

⁴¹He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, ⁴²saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

⁴³An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. ⁴⁴Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.

⁴⁵When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, ⁴⁶and said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

⁴⁷While he was still speaking, a crowd appeared. He who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him. ⁴⁸But Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

⁴⁹When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” ⁵⁰A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

⁵¹But Jesus answered, “Let me at least do this”—and he touched his ear and healed him. ⁵²Jesus 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? ⁵³When 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.”

⁵⁴They seized him and led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed from a distance. ⁵⁵When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat among them. ⁵⁶A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him.”

⁵⁷He denied Jesus, saying, “Woman, I don’t know him.”

⁵⁸After a little while someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them!” But Peter answered, “Man, I am not!”

⁶⁰But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. ⁶¹The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.” ⁶²He went out, and wept bitterly.

⁶³The men who held Jesus mocked him and beat him. ⁶⁴Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?” ⁶⁵They spoke many other things against him, insulting him.

⁶⁶As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people were 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, ⁶⁸and if I ask, you will in no way answer me or let me go. ⁶⁹From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

⁷⁰They all said, “Are you then the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say it, because I am.”