The Burning Bush

Now Moses was pasturing the flock of his father-in-law (A)Jethro, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the [a]west side of the wilderness and came to (B)Horeb, the (C)mountain of God. Then (D)the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of [b]a (E)bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not being consumed. So Moses said, “(F)I must turn aside and see this [c]marvelous sight, why the bush is not burning up!” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, (G)God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Do not come near here; (H)remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And He said, “(I)I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” (J)Then Moses hid his face, for he was (K)afraid to look at God.

And the Lord said, “I have certainly (L)seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their outcry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings. So I have come down (M)to rescue them from the [d]power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a (N)good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of (O)the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. And now, behold, (P)the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Me; furthermore, I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppressing them.

The Mission of Moses

10 And now come, and I will send you to Pharaoh, (Q)so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “(R)Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 And He said, “Assuredly (S)I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: (T)when you have brought the people out of Egypt, (U)you shall [e]worship God at this mountain.”

13 Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” 14 And God said to Moses, “[f](V)I AM WHO [g]I AM”; and He said, “This is what you shall say to the sons of Israel: ‘[h]I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God furthermore said to Moses, “This is what you shall say to the sons of Israel: ‘(W)The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is the [i](X)name for [j]all generations to use to call upon Me. 16 Go and (Y)gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘(Z)The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has appeared to me, saying, “[k](AA)I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 So (AB)I said, I will bring you up out of the oppression of Egypt to the land of (AC)the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, to a land (AD)flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 Then (AE)they will [l]pay attention to what you say; and (AF)you with the elders of Israel will come to the king of Egypt, and you will say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now, please let us go a (AG)three days’ journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt (AH)will not permit you to go, (AI)except [m]under compulsion. 20 So I will reach out with (AJ)My hand and strike Egypt with all My (AK)miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and (AL)after that he will let you go. 21 I will grant this people (AM)favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed. 22 But every woman (AN)shall ask her neighbor and the woman who lives in her house for articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will (AO)plunder the Egyptians.”

Moses Given Signs

Then Moses said, “What if they will not believe me or (AP)listen [n]to what I say? For they may say, ‘(AQ)The Lord has not appeared to you.’” The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “(AR)A staff.” Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and (AS)it turned into a serpent; and Moses fled from it. But the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out with your hand and grasp it by its tail”—so he reached out with his hand and caught it, and it turned into a staff in his [o]hand— “so that (AT)they may believe that (AU)the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

The Lord furthermore said to him, “Now put your hand inside the fold of your robe.” So he put his hand inside the fold, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was (AV)leprous like snow. Then He said, “Put your hand inside the fold of your robe again.” So he put his hand into the fold again, and when he took it out of the fold, behold, (AW)it was restored like the rest of his flesh. “So if they will not believe you nor [p]pay attention to the [q]evidence of the first [r]sign, they may believe the [s]evidence of the last [t]sign. But if they will not believe even these two [u]signs nor pay attention to what you say, then you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground; and the water which you take from the Nile (AX)will turn into blood on the dry ground.”

10 Then Moses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, (AY)I have never been [v]eloquent, neither [w]recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am [x]slow of speech and [y]slow of tongue.” 11 But the Lord said to him, “Who has made the human mouth? Or (AZ)who makes anyone unable to speak or deaf, or able to see or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now then go, and (BA)I Myself will be with your mouth, and (BB)instruct you in what you are to say.” 13 But he said, “Please, Lord, now send the message by [z]whomever You will.”

Aaron to Be Moses’ Mouthpiece

14 Then the anger of the Lord burned against Moses, and He said, “Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that [aa]he speaks fluently. And moreover, behold, (BC)he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be [ab]overjoyed. 15 So you are to speak to him and (BD)put the words in his mouth; and I Myself will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will instruct you in what you are to do. 16 (BE)He shall speak for you to the people; and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him. 17 And you shall take in your hand (BF)this staff, (BG)with which you shall perform the signs.”

18 Then Moses departed and returned to (BH)his father-in-law [ac]Jethro, and said to him, “Please, let me go, that I may return to my brothers who are in Egypt, and see if they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.” 19 Now the Lord said to Moses in Midian, “Go [ad]back to Egypt, for (BI)all the men who were seeking your life are dead.” 20 So Moses took his wife and his (BJ)sons and mounted them on a donkey, and returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the (BK)staff of God in his hand.

21 And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go [ae]back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all (BL)the wonders which I have put in your [af]power; but (BM)I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: “(BN)Israel is My son, My firstborn. 23 So I said to you, ‘(BO)Let My son go so that he may serve Me’; but you have refused to let him go. Behold, (BP)I am going to kill your son, your firstborn.”’”

24 But it came about at the overnight encampment on the way, that the Lord met [ag]Moses, and (BQ)sought to put him to death. 25 So Zipporah took (BR)a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and [ah]threw it at Moses’ feet; and she said, “You are indeed a groom of blood to me!” 26 So He left him alone. At that time she said, “You are a groom of blood”—[ai]because of the circumcision.

27 (BS)Now the Lord said to Aaron, “Go to meet Moses in the wilderness.” So he went and met him at the (BT)mountain of God and kissed him. 28 (BU)Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord with which He had sent him, and (BV)all the signs that He had commanded him to do. 29 Then Moses and Aaron went and (BW)assembled all the elders of the sons of Israel; 30 and (BX)Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses. He then performed the (BY)signs in the sight of the people. 31 So (BZ)the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord [aj](CA)was concerned about the sons of Israel and that He had seen their affliction, (CB)they bowed low and worshiped.

Israel’s Labor Increased

And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, “(CC)This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘(CD)Let My people go so that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” But Pharaoh said, “(CE)Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and besides, (CF)I will not let Israel go.” Then they said, “(CG)The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness so that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, otherwise He will strike us with plague or with the sword.” But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you let the people neglect their [ak]work? Get back to your (CH)labors!” Again Pharaoh said, “Look, (CI)the people of the land are now many, and you would have them cease from their labors!” So the same day Pharaoh commanded (CJ)the taskmasters over the people and their (CK)foremen, saying, “You are no longer to give the people straw to make bricks as previously; have them go and gather straw for themselves. But you shall impose on them the quota of bricks which they were making before; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are (CL)lazy, for that reason they cry [al]out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ Let the labor be heavier on the men, and have them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.”

10 So (CM)the taskmasters of the people and their foremen went out and spoke to the people, saying, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I am not going to give you any straw. 11 You go, get straw for yourselves wherever you can find it; but none of your labor will be reduced.’” 12 So the people scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13 And the taskmasters pressed them, saying, “Complete your [am]work quota, [an]your daily amount, just as when [ao]you had straw.” 14 Moreover, (CN)the foremen of the sons of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, (CO)were beaten [ap]and asked, “Why have you not completed your required task of making bricks either yesterday or today, as before?”

15 Then the foremen of the sons of Israel came and cried out to Pharaoh, saying, “Why do you deal this way with your servants? 16 There is no straw given to your servants, yet they keep saying to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are being beaten; but it is the fault of your own people.” 17 But he said, “You are (CP)lazy, very lazy; for that reason you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ 18 So go now and work; for you will be given no straw, but you must deliver the quota of bricks.” 19 The foremen of the sons of Israel saw that they were in trouble, [aq]since they were told, “You must not reduce [ar]your daily amount of bricks.” 20 When they left Pharaoh’s presence, they met Moses and Aaron as they were [as]waiting for them. 21 And (CQ)they said to them, “(CR)May the Lord look upon you and judge you, because you have (CS)made [at]us repulsive in Pharaoh’s sight and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us!”

22 Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, “(CT)Lord, why have You brought harm to this people? Why did You ever send me? 23 Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done harm to this people, (CU)and You have not rescued Your people at all.”

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 3:1 Or rear part
  2. Exodus 3:2 Lit the
  3. Exodus 3:3 Lit great
  4. Exodus 3:8 Lit hand
  5. Exodus 3:12 Or serve
  6. Exodus 3:14 Related to the name of God, YHWH, rendered Lord, which is derived from the verb HAYAH, to be
  7. Exodus 3:14 Related to the name of God, YHWH, rendered Lord, which is derived from the verb HAYAH, to be
  8. Exodus 3:14 Related to the name of God, YHWH, rendered Lord, which is derived from the verb HAYAH, to be
  9. Exodus 3:15 I.e., name used in prayer, vows, and ceremony
  10. Exodus 3:15 Lit generation of generation
  11. Exodus 3:16 Lit Visiting I have visited
  12. Exodus 3:18 Lit hear your voice
  13. Exodus 3:19 Lit by a strong hand
  14. Exodus 4:1 Lit to my voice
  15. Exodus 4:4 Lit palm
  16. Exodus 4:8 Lit listen to
  17. Exodus 4:8 Lit voice
  18. Exodus 4:8 I.e., confirming miracle
  19. Exodus 4:8 Lit voice
  20. Exodus 4:8 I.e., confirming miracle
  21. Exodus 4:9 I.e., confirming miracles
  22. Exodus 4:10 Lit a man of words
  23. Exodus 4:10 Lit yesterday
  24. Exodus 4:10 Lit heavy
  25. Exodus 4:10 Lit heavy
  26. Exodus 4:13 Lit the hand You send
  27. Exodus 4:14 Lit speaking he speaks
  28. Exodus 4:14 Lit joyful in his heart
  29. Exodus 4:18 Heb Jether
  30. Exodus 4:19 Lit return
  31. Exodus 4:21 Lit to return
  32. Exodus 4:21 Lit hand
  33. Exodus 4:24 Lit him
  34. Exodus 4:25 Lit made it touch at his feet
  35. Exodus 4:26 Lit with reference to
  36. Exodus 4:31 Lit had visited
  37. Exodus 5:4 Lit works
  38. Exodus 5:8 Lit out, saying,
  39. Exodus 5:13 Lit works
  40. Exodus 5:13 Lit the matter of a day in its day
  41. Exodus 5:13 Lit there was
  42. Exodus 5:14 Lit saying
  43. Exodus 5:19 Lit saying
  44. Exodus 5:19 Lit from your bricks the matter of a day in its day
  45. Exodus 5:20 Lit standing to meet
  46. Exodus 5:21 Lit our odor stink

Moses and the Burning Bush

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro(A) his father-in-law, the priest of Midian,(B) and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb,(C) the mountain(D) of God. There the angel of the Lord(E) appeared to him in flames of fire(F) from within a bush.(G) Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called(H) to him from within the bush,(I) “Moses! Moses!”

And Moses said, “Here I am.”(J)

“Do not come any closer,”(K) God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”(L) Then he said, “I am the God of your father,[a] the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.”(M) At this, Moses hid(N) his face, because he was afraid to look at God.(O)

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen(P) the misery(Q) of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned(R) about their suffering.(S) So I have come down(T) to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land,(U) a land flowing with milk and honey(V)—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites(W) and Jebusites.(X) And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing(Y) them. 10 So now, go. I am sending(Z) you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”(AA)

11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I(AB) that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

12 And God said, “I will be with you.(AC) And this will be the sign(AD) to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you[b] will worship God on this mountain.(AE)

13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’(AF) Then what shall I tell them?”

14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.[c] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am(AG) has sent me to you.’”

15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord,[d] the God of your fathers(AH)—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob(AI)—has sent me to you.’

“This is my name(AJ) forever,
    the name you shall call me
    from generation to generation.(AK)

16 “Go, assemble the elders(AL) of Israel and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob(AM)—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen(AN) what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt(AO) into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.’(AP)

18 “The elders of Israel will listen(AQ) to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews,(AR) has met(AS) with us. Let us take a three-day journey(AT) into the wilderness to offer sacrifices(AU) to the Lord our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand(AV) compels him. 20 So I will stretch out my hand(AW) and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders(AX) that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.(AY)

21 “And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed(AZ) toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed.(BA) 22 Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver(BB) and gold(BC) and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder(BD) the Egyptians.”(BE)

Signs for Moses

Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen(BF) to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”

Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

“A staff,”(BG) he replied.

The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.”

Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake,(BH) and he ran from it. Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand. “This,” said the Lord, “is so that they may believe(BI) that the Lord, the God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has appeared to you.”

Then the Lord said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, the skin was leprous[e]—it had become as white as snow.(BJ)

“Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored,(BK) like the rest of his flesh.

Then the Lord said, “If they do not believe(BL) you or pay attention to the first sign,(BM) they may believe the second. But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood(BN) on the ground.”

10 Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”(BO)

11 The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute?(BP) Who gives them sight or makes them blind?(BQ) Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go;(BR) I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”(BS)

13 But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”(BT)

14 Then the Lord’s anger burned(BU) against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet(BV) you, and he will be glad to see you. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth;(BW) I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth(BX) and as if you were God to him.(BY) 17 But take this staff(BZ) in your hand(CA) so you can perform the signs(CB) with it.”

Moses Returns to Egypt

18 Then Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Let me return to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them are still alive.”

Jethro said, “Go, and I wish you well.”

19 Now the Lord had said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill(CC) you are dead.(CD) 20 So Moses took his wife and sons,(CE) put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff(CF) of God in his hand.

21 The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders(CG) I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart(CH) so that he will not let the people go.(CI) 22 Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son,(CJ) 23 and I told you, “Let my son go,(CK) so he may worship(CL) me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’”(CM)

24 At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses[f] and was about to kill(CN) him. 25 But Zipporah(CO) took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin(CP) and touched Moses’ feet with it.[g] “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. 26 So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.)

27 The Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he met Moses at the mountain(CQ) of God and kissed(CR) him. 28 Then Moses told Aaron everything the Lord had sent him to say, and also about all the signs he had commanded him to perform.

29 Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders(CS) of the Israelites, 30 and Aaron told them everything the Lord had said to Moses. He also performed the signs(CT) before the people, 31 and they believed.(CU) And when they heard that the Lord was concerned(CV) about them and had seen their misery,(CW) they bowed down and worshiped.(CX)

Bricks Without Straw

Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go,(CY) so that they may hold a festival(CZ) to me in the wilderness.’”

Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord,(DA) that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.”(DB)

Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey(DC) into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, or he may strike us with plagues(DD) or with the sword.”

But the king of Egypt said, “Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor?(DE) Get back to your work!” Then Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are now numerous,(DF) and you are stopping them from working.”

That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers(DG) and overseers in charge of the people: “You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks;(DH) let them go and gather their own straw. But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don’t reduce the quota.(DI) They are lazy;(DJ) that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’(DK) Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies.”

10 Then the slave drivers(DL) and the overseers went out and said to the people, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I will not give you any more straw. 11 Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced(DM) at all.’” 12 So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. 13 The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, “Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw.” 14 And Pharaoh’s slave drivers beat the Israelite overseers they had appointed,(DN) demanding, “Why haven’t you met your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?”

15 Then the Israelite overseers went and appealed to Pharaoh: “Why have you treated your servants this way? 16 Your servants are given no straw, yet we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.”

17 Pharaoh said, “Lazy, that’s what you are—lazy!(DO) That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ 18 Now get to work.(DP) You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks.”

19 The Israelite overseers realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day.” 20 When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, 21 and they said, “May the Lord look on you and judge(DQ) you! You have made us obnoxious(DR) to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword(DS) in their hand to kill us.”(DT)

God Promises Deliverance

22 Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people?(DU) Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued(DV) your people at all.”

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 3:6 Masoretic Text; Samaritan Pentateuch (see Acts 7:32) fathers
  2. Exodus 3:12 The Hebrew is plural.
  3. Exodus 3:14 Or I will be what I will be
  4. Exodus 3:15 The Hebrew for Lord sounds like and may be related to the Hebrew for I am in verse 14.
  5. Exodus 4:6 The Hebrew word for leprous was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
  6. Exodus 4:24 Hebrew him
  7. Exodus 4:25 The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.

Preparing the Passover

22 (A)Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the (B)Passover, was approaching. And the chief priests and the scribes (C)were trying to find [a]a way to put Him to death, since they were afraid of the people.

(D)And (E)Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, [b]who belonged to the number of the twelve. And he left and discussed with the chief priests and (F)officers how he was to betray Him to them. And they were delighted, and agreed to give him money. And so he consented, and began looking for a good opportunity to betray Him to them [c]away from the crowd.

(G)Now the first day of Unleavened Bread came, on which (H)the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. And so Jesus sent (I)Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.” They said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare it?” 10 And He said to them, “When you have entered the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you; follow him into the house that he enters. 11 And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 12 And he will show you a large, furnished upstairs room; prepare it there.” 13 And they left and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

The Lord’s Supper

14 (J)When the hour came, He reclined at the table, and (K)the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall not eat it again (L)until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 (M)And when He had taken a cup and (N)given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for (O)I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And when He had taken some bread and (P)given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, which is being given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup, which is (Q)poured out for you, is the (R)new covenant in My blood. 21 (S)But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with [d]Mine on the table. 22 For indeed, the Son of Man is going (T)as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23 And they began to debate among themselves which one of them it was who was going to do this.

Who Is Greatest

24 And (U)a dispute also developed among them as to which one of them was regarded as being the greatest. 25 (V)And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles domineer over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 But it is not this way for you; (W)rather, the one who is the greatest among you must become like (X)the youngest, and the leader like the servant. 27 For (Y)who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But (Z)I am among you as the one who serves.

28 “You are the ones who have stood by Me in My (AA)trials; 29 and just as My Father has granted Me a (AB)kingdom, I grant you 30 that you may (AC)eat and drink at My table in My (AD)kingdom, and (AE)you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, (AF)Satan has [e]demanded to (AG)sift you men like wheat; 32 but I (AH)have prayed for [f]you, that [g]your faith will not fail; and [h]you, when you have [i]turned back, (AI)strengthen your brothers.” 33 (AJ)But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death!” 34 But He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”

35 And He said to them, (AK)When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” 36 And He said to them, “But now, [j]whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and [k]whoever has no sword is to sell his [l]cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me: ‘(AL)And He was counted with wrongdoers’; for (AM)that which refers to Me has its [m]fulfillment.” 38 They said, “Lord, look, here are two (AN)swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

The Garden of Gethsemane

39 (AO)And He came out and went, (AP)as was His habit, to (AQ)the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. 40 (AR)Now when He arrived at the place, He said to them, (AS)Pray that you do not come into temptation.” 41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He (AT)knelt down and began to pray, 42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this (AU)cup from Me; (AV)yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 [[n]Now an (AW)angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44 And (AX)being in agony, He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground]. 45 When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, 46 and He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and (AY)pray that you do not come into temptation.”

Jesus Betrayed by Judas

47 (AZ)While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading the way for them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the (BA)sword?” 50 And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus responded and said, [o]Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. 52 And Jesus said to the chief priests and (BB)officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs (BC)as you would against a man inciting a revolt? 53 While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but [p]this hour and the power of darkness are yours.”

Jesus’ Arrest

54 (BD)Now they arrested Him and led Him away, and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but (BE)Peter was following at a distance. 55 (BF)After they kindled a fire in the middle of (BG)the courtyard and sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. 56 And a slave woman, seeing him as he sat in the firelight, and staring at him, said, “This man was with Him as well.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “I do not know Him, woman!” 58 And a little later, (BH)another person saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 And after about an hour had passed, some other man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, (BI)for he, too, is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” And immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 And then (BJ)the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, (BK)Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

63 (BL)The men who were holding [q]Jesus in custody began mocking Him and beating Him, 64 and they blindfolded Him and repeatedly asked Him, saying, “(BM)Prophesy, who is the one who hit You?” 65 And they were saying many other things against Him, (BN)blaspheming.

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

66 (BO)When it was day, (BP)the [r]Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their (BQ)council chamber, saying, 67 (BR)If You are the [s]Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe; 68 and if I ask a question, you will not answer. 69 (BS)But from now on (BT)the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 And they all said, “So You are (BU)the Son of God?” And He said to them, (BV)You say correctly that I am.” 71 And then they said, “What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth!”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 22:2 Lit how they were to
  2. Luke 22:3 Or possibly since he belonged; lit being of the
  3. Luke 22:6 Or without a disturbance
  4. Luke 22:21 Lit Me
  5. Luke 22:31 Or asked for you men, to sift you
  6. Luke 22:32 Gr singular, referring only to Peter
  7. Luke 22:32 Gr singular, referring only to Peter
  8. Luke 22:32 Gr singular, referring only to Peter
  9. Luke 22:32 I.e., repented
  10. Luke 22:36 Lit he who
  11. Luke 22:36 Lit he who
  12. Luke 22:36 Or outer garment
  13. Luke 22:37 Lit end
  14. Luke 22:43 Most early mss do not contain vv 43 and 44
  15. Luke 22:51 Or “Leave him alone! No more
  16. Luke 22:53 Lit this is your hour and the power of darkness
  17. Luke 22:63 Lit Him
  18. Luke 22:66 Or Sanhedrin
  19. Luke 22:67 I.e., Messiah

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus(A)

22 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching,(B) and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus,(C) for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan(D) entered Judas, called Iscariot,(E) one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard(F) and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money.(G) He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

The Last Supper(H)(I)(J)(K)(L)

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.(M) Jesus sent Peter and John,(N) saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

“Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.

10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them.(O) So they prepared the Passover.

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles(P) reclined at the table.(Q) 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.(R) 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”(S)

17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it,(T) and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant(U) in my blood, which is poured out for you.[a] 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.(V) 22 The Son of Man(W) will go as it has been decreed.(X) But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.(Y) 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest,(Z) and the one who rules like the one who serves.(AA) 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.(AB) 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom,(AC) just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom(AD) and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.(AE)

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked(AF) to sift all of you as wheat.(AG) 32 But I have prayed for you,(AH) Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”(AI)

33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”(AJ)

34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals,(AK) did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[b];(AL) and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

38 The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

“That’s enough!” he replied.

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives(AM)

39 Jesus went out as usual(AN) to the Mount of Olives,(AO) and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”(AP) 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down(AQ) and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup(AR) from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”(AS) 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.(AT) 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[c]

45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”(AU)

Jesus Arrested(AV)

47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”(AW) 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard,(AX) and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts,(AY) and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour(AZ)—when darkness reigns.”(BA)

Peter Disowns Jesus(BB)

54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest.(BC) Peter followed at a distance.(BD) 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”(BE)

60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord(BF) turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”(BG) 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

The Guards Mock Jesus(BH)

63 The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” 65 And they said many other insulting things to him.(BI)

Jesus Before Pilate and Herod(BJ)(BK)(BL)

66 At daybreak the council(BM) of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together,(BN) and Jesus was led before them. 67 “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.”

Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer.(BO) 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”(BP)

70 They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?”(BQ)

He replied, “You say that I am.”(BR)

71 Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 22:20 Some manuscripts do not have given for you … poured out for you.
  2. Luke 22:37 Isaiah 53:12
  3. Luke 22:44 Many early manuscripts do not have verses 43 and 44.