阴谋杀害耶稣

22 除酵节——又叫逾越节——快到了。 祭司长们和经文士们在图谋怎样能杀掉耶稣,因为他们怕民众。

那时,撒旦进入了那称为加略人的犹大里面。犹大算是十二使徒[a]中的一个。 他去跟祭司长们和守卫长们[b]商量怎样把耶稣交给他们。 他们就欢喜,并且说好要给他银钱。 犹大同意了,就开始找机会,要趁众人不在的时候,把耶稣交给他们。

预备逾越节的晚餐

除酵节的第一日到了,在这一天必须宰杀逾越节的羔羊。 耶稣差派彼得约翰,说:“你们去为我们预备逾越节的晚餐,好让我们能吃上。”

他们问耶稣:“你要我们在哪里预备呢?”

10 耶稣对他们说:“看哪!你们进了城,会有一个人提着一罐水迎面而来,你们就跟着他,到他所进的那一家去, 11 对那家的主人说:‘老师问你:我与我的门徒们一起吃逾越节晚餐的客房在哪里呢?’ 12 他会给你们看楼上一间布置好的大房间,你们就在那里预备吧。”

13 他们去了,看到的正如耶稣对他们所说的。他们就预备了逾越节的晚餐。

第一次圣餐

14 时候一到,耶稣就坐席,十二[c]使徒也和他同坐。 15 耶稣对他们说:“我一直非常渴望在我受难之前,与你们一起吃这逾越节的晚餐。 16 我告诉你们:我绝不[d]吃这晚餐,直等到逾越节在神的国里得以成就。” 17 耶稣拿起杯来,祝谢了,说:“你们拿这个,大家分着喝。 18 我告诉你们:从今以后[e]我绝不喝这葡萄汁[f],直到神的国来临。”

19 他又拿起饼来,祝谢了,掰开递给他们,说:“这是我的身体,为你们献上的;你们应当如此行,为的是记念我。”

20 晚餐后,他也照样拿起杯来,说:“这杯是用我的血所立的新约,为你们所流的。[g] 21 不过看哪,那卖我之人的手,与我的手一同在这桌子上, 22 因为人子确实要按照所决定的离去。不过出卖人子的那个人有祸了。”

23 于是他们开始彼此议论,他们当中究竟是谁会做这事。

争论谁最大

24 门徒之间也起了争论:他们当中谁算是更大的。 25 耶稣对他们说:“外邦人有君王辖制他们,他们的掌权者被称为恩主。 26 但你们却不是这样;相反,你们当中谁更大,谁就该变得像年幼的那样;领头的,该像服事人的。 27 坐席的或服事的,到底哪一个更大呢?难道不是坐席的吗?然而我在你们中间,是像服事人的。 28 不过我在试炼当中,始终与我在一起的就是你们; 29 并且我把国度赐给你们,就像我父赐给了我那样, 30 使你们在我的国度里,在我的筵席上吃喝;并且坐在宝座上审判以色列的十二个支派。”

预言彼得不认主

31 主又说[h]:“西门西门,你看,撒旦想要得着你们,要筛你们像筛麦子一样。 32 但是,我已经为你祈求,使你不失去信仰。所以当你回转过来的时候,要坚固你的弟兄们。”

33 可是彼得对耶稣说:“主啊,我预备好要与你一起去监狱、一起去死!”

34 耶稣却说:彼得,我告诉你:今天鸡叫以前,你会三次否定认识我。”

钱包、行囊、刀

35 接着耶稣问他们:“我从前差派你们出去的时候,你们不带钱包、行囊、鞋子,你们缺少过什么没有?”

他们说:“没有。”

36 耶稣却对他们说:“但现在,有钱包的应当带着;同样,有行囊的也应当带着;没有刀的,应当卖掉自己的外衣去买一把。 37 我告诉你们:经上记着:‘他被列在不法之徒当中’[i],这话必须在我身上成就,因为那有关我的事就要有个结局了。”

38 他们说:“主啊,你看,这里有两把刀。”

耶稣说:“实在够了。”

园中的祷告

39 耶稣出来,照他的习惯往橄榄山去,门徒们也跟着他。 40 到了那地方,耶稣对他们说:“你们要祷告,免得陷入试探。” 41 然后他抽出身,离他们约有扔一块石头的距离,跪下祷告, 42 说:“父啊,如果你愿意,请把这杯从我这里拿走吧!但不要成就我的意思,而要成就你的意思。”

43 有一位天使从天上向他显现,加添他的力量。 44 耶稣在极大的痛苦中,祷告更加恳切;他的汗珠变得像大血滴,落在地上。[j] 45 祷告完了,他起身到门徒那里,看见他们因为忧伤都睡着了, 46 就对他们说:“你们为什么睡觉呢?起来祷告,免得陷入试探。”

犹大亲吻的暗号

47 耶稣还在说话的时候,忽然来了一群人。十二使徒中的一个,就是那称为犹大的,走在他们前头。他靠近耶稣,要亲吻他。 48 耶稣对他说:犹大,你用亲吻礼来出卖人子吗?”

49 耶稣周围的人看到要发生的事,就说:“主啊,我们要用刀砍吗?” 50 其中一个人向大祭司的奴仆砍去,削掉了他的右耳。

51 耶稣应声说:“住手,到此为止!”然后摸一下那个人的耳朵,使他痊愈了。 52 耶稣对前来对付他的祭司长们、圣殿守卫长们和长老们说:“你们带着刀剑和棍棒出来,就像对付强盗那样吗? 53 我天天在圣殿里与你们在一起的时候,你们不向我下手。不过现在是你们的时候了,是黑暗掌权的时候了!”

彼得不认主

54 他们抓住耶稣,把他带走,押到大祭司的家里。彼得远远地跟着。 55 他们在院子当中生了火,一起坐着。彼得也坐在他们中间。 56 有一个女仆看见彼得坐在火光中,就注视着他,说:“这个人也与他是一伙的。”

57 彼得却否认说:“你这个女人哪,我不认识他!”

58 过了一会儿,另一个人看见他,就说:“你也是与他们一伙的!”

彼得说:“你这个人哪,我不是!”

59 大约过了一个小时,又有一个人肯定地说:“这个人真的也是与他一伙的,因为他也是加利利人。”

60 彼得说:“你这个人哪,我不知道你在说什么!”他正说着的时候,鸡立时就叫了。 61 主转过身来注视彼得彼得就想起主对他说过的话:“今天鸡叫以前,你会三次不认我。” 62 他就到外面去,痛哭起来。

被戏弄与鞭打

63 看守耶稣[k]的人戏弄他、殴打他, 64 又蒙住他的眼睛问他,[l]说:“你说预言吧!打你的是谁?” 65 他们还说了很多别的话辱骂他。

在议员面前受审

66 一到天亮,民间的长老议会,包括祭司长们和经文士们,就聚集在一起。他们把耶稣带到议会里, 67 说:“你如果是基督,就告诉我们吧。”

耶稣对他们说:“就算我告诉你们,你们也绝不会相信; 68 就算我问你们,你们也绝不会回答[m] 69 但从今以后,人子要坐在全能神的右边。”

70 他们都说:“那么,你是神的儿子吗?”

耶稣对他们说:“是你们说的,我就是。”

71 他们说:“难道我们还需要什么证据吗?他亲口说的话,我们都亲耳听见了[n]。”

Footnotes

  1. 路加福音 22:3 使徒——辅助词语。
  2. 路加福音 22:4 守卫长——原文直译“指挥官”或“司令官”或“将军”。
  3. 路加福音 22:14 有古抄本没有“十二”。
  4. 路加福音 22:16 有古抄本附“再”。
  5. 路加福音 22:18 有古抄本没有“从今以后”。
  6. 路加福音 22:18 葡萄汁——或译作“葡萄酒”;原文直译“葡萄树的产品”。
  7. 路加福音 22:20 有古抄本没有“为你们献上的……为你们所流的。”
  8. 路加福音 22:31 有古抄本没有“主又说”。
  9. 路加福音 22:37 《以赛亚书》53:12。
  10. 路加福音 22:44 有古抄本没有43,44节。
  11. 路加福音 22:63 有古抄本没有“耶稣”。
  12. 路加福音 22:64 有古抄本附“打他的脸,”。
  13. 路加福音 22:68 绝不会回答——有古抄本作“绝不会回答我或释放我”。
  14. 路加福音 22:71 他亲口说的话,我们都亲耳听见了——原文直译“因为我们亲自从他口中听见了”。

22 This daily pattern continued as they came closer to the holiday of Unleavened Bread, also known as the Passover.

Jesus teaches of judgment to come and the destruction of the temple. All things move toward a collision of ideas and faith at the most important feast of the year.

The chief priests and religious scholars continued looking for a way to kill Jesus; they hadn’t been able to act yet due to their fear of the people’s reaction. At this point, Satan entered into one of the twelve, Judas (also called Iscariot). Judas set up a private meeting with the chief priests and the captains of the temple police to discuss a plan for betraying Jesus and putting Him in their hands. This was just the kind of break they had been waiting for, so they were thrilled and agreed to a handsome payment. Everything was settled, and Judas simply waited for the right moment, when the crowds weren’t around, to betray Jesus into their custody.

They came to the Day of Unleavened Bread, a holy day when a special lamb (called the Passover lamb) had to be sacrificed. Jesus chose Peter and John and gave them instructions.

Jesus: Go and make all the necessary preparations for the Passover meal so we can eat together.

Peter and John: Where do You want us to make preparations?

Jesus: 10 When you enter the city, you’ll encounter a man carrying a jar of water. Just follow him wherever he goes, and when he enters a house, 11 tell the homeowner, “The Teacher has this question for you: ‘Where is the guest room where I can share the Passover meal with My disciples?’” 12 He’ll show you a spacious second-story room that has all the necessary furniture. That’s where you should prepare our meal.

13 They did as He said and found everything just as He said it would be, and they prepared the Passover meal. 14 When the meal was prepared, Jesus sat at the table, joined by His emissaries.[a]

The meal that Jesus and His disciples shared is still celebrated today among followers of Jesus. We surround it with varied rituals and music, but the original meal took place in the midst of great drama and tension. The disciples were arguing, and Jesus was teaching them yet another lesson about life in the kingdom of God. Jesus even spoke of His own suffering and their betrayal and denial. Yet through it all, Jesus’ focus remained on the central theme of His life and mission: the coming of the kingdom of God.

Jesus: 15 It has been My deep desire to eat this Passover meal with you before My suffering begins. 16 Know this: I will not eat another Passover meal until its meaning is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

17 He took a cup of wine and gave thanks for it.

Jesus: Take this; share it among yourselves. 18 Know this: I will not drink another sip of wine until the kingdom of God has arrived in fullness.

19 Then He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and shared it with them.

Jesus: This is My body, My body given for you. Do this to remember Me.

20 And similarly, after the meal had been eaten, He took the cup.

Jesus: This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant, made in My blood. 21 But even now, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on this table. 22 As it has been determined, the Son of Man, that firstfruit of a new generation of humanity, must be betrayed, but how pitiful it will be for the person who betrays Him.

23 They immediately began questioning each other.

Disciples: Which one of us could do such a horrible thing?

24 Soon they found themselves arguing about the opposite question.

Disciples: Which one of us is the most faithful, the most important?

Jesus (interrupting): 25 The authority figures of the outsiders play this game, flexing their muscles in competition for power over one another, masking their quest for domination behind words like “benefactor” or “public servant.” 26 But you must not indulge in this charade. Instead, among you, the greatest must become like the youngest and the leader must become a true servant. 27 Who is greater right here as we eat this meal—those of us who sit at the table, or those who serve us? Doesn’t everyone normally assume those who are served are greater than those who serve? But consider My role among you. I have been with you as a servant.

28 You have stood beside Me faithfully through My trials. 29 I give you a kingdom, just as the Father has given Me a kingdom. 30 You will eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will have authority over the twelve tribes of Israel.

31 Simon, Simon, how Satan has pursued you, that he might make you part of his harvest. 32 But I have prayed for you. I have prayed that your faith will hold firm and that you will recover from your failure and become a source of strength for your brothers here.

Peter: 33 Lord, what are You talking about? I’m going all the way to the end with You—to prison, to execution—I’m prepared to do anything for You.

Jesus: 34 No, Peter, the truth is that before the rooster crows at dawn, you will have denied that you even know Me, not just once, but three times. 35 Remember when I sent you out with no money, no pack, not even sandals? Did you lack anything?

Disciples: Not a thing.

Jesus: 36 It’s different now. If you have some savings, take them with you. If you have a pack, fill it and bring it. If you don’t have a sword, sell your coat and buy one. 37 Here’s the truth: what the Hebrew Scriptures said, “And He was taken as one of the criminals,”[b] must come to fruition in Me. These words must come true.

Disciples: 38 Look, Lord, we have two swords here.

Jesus: That’s enough.

There is powerful consistency in Jesus’ life. Again and again, He withdraws from the crowds to pray in solitude. Now, at this dramatic moment, Jesus again withdraws to pray—in a solitude made more intense by the fact that He has asked His disciples to pray, too, but they have fallen asleep. And in this moment of anguished emotion, Jesus mouths a prayer that resonates with His consistent message of the Kingdom. He has taught His disciples to pray, “May Your kingdom come,” which is a request for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Now, drenched in sweat, Jesus Himself prays simply for God’s will to be done, even if it means He must drink the cup of suffering that awaits Him in the hours ahead.

We often speak of having faith in Jesus; but we seldom speak of the faith of Jesus, a faith He demonstrated consistently throughout His life and especially at its end. In a moment of agony, Jesus still trusted God, still yielded His will to God, and still approached God as “Father,” placing Himself in the position of a child, in trust—profound, tested, sincere.

39 Once again He left the city as He had been doing during recent days, returning to Mount Olivet along with His disciples. 40 And He came to a certain place.

Jesus: Pray for yourselves, that you will not sink into temptation.

41 He distanced Himself from them about a stone’s throw and knelt there, 42 praying.

Jesus: Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me. Yet not My will, but Your will, be done.

[43 Then a messenger from heaven appeared to strengthen Him. 44 And in His anguish, He prayed even more intensely, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.][c] 45 When He rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, weighed down with sorrow. 46 He roused them.

Jesus: Why are you sleeping? Wake up and pray that you will not sink into temptation.

47 Even as He said these words, the sound of a crowd could be heard in the distance, and as the crowd came into view, it was clear that Judas was leading them. He came close to Jesus and gave Jesus the traditional greeting of a kiss.

Jesus: 48 Ah, Judas, is this how you betray the Son of Man—with a kiss?

Disciples (realizing what was going on): 49 Lord, is this why You told us to bring the swords? Should we attack?

50 Before Jesus could answer, one of them had swung his sword at the high priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear.

Jesus: 51 Stop! No more of this!

Then He reached out to touch—and heal—the man’s ear. 52 Jesus turned to the chief priests, the captains of the temple, and the elders and spoke.

Jesus: Do you think I’m some sort of violent criminal? Is that why you came with swords and clubs? 53 I haven’t been hard to find—each day I’ve been in the temple in broad daylight, and you never tried to seize Me there. But this is your time—night—and this is your power—the power of darkness.

54 They grabbed Him at this point and took Him away to the high priest’s home. Peter followed—at a distance. 55 He watched from the shadows as those who had seized Jesus made a fire in the center of the courtyard and sat down around it. Then Peter slipped in quietly and sat with them. 56 But a young servant girl saw his face in the firelight. She stared for a while and then spoke.

Servant Girl: This fellow here was with Jesus. I recognize him.

Peter (denying it): 57 Woman, I don’t even know the man.

58 A little later, a man also recognized him.

Man: I recognize you. You’re one of Jesus’ followers.

Peter: Man, you’re wrong. I’m not.

59 An hour or so passed, and then another person pointed to Peter.

Another Person: This fellow is obviously Galilean. He must be a member of Jesus’ group.

Peter: 60 Look, I have no idea what you’re talking about.

And he hadn’t even finished the sentence when a nearby rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned toward Peter, and their eyes met. Peter remembered Jesus’ words about his triple denial before the rooster would crow, 62 so he left the courtyard and wept bitter tears.

63 At this point, the men who were holding Jesus began to mock Him and beat Him. 64 They put a blindfold on Him.

Men Holding Jesus: Hey, Prophet! Use Your prophetic powers to tell us who just whacked You!

65 They kept on with this sort of insulting, degrading treatment for quite some time. 66 When dawn had given way to full day, the Sanhedrin council assembled, consisting of religious leaders of the Sadducean party, along with the chief priests and religious scholars. They took Him to their headquarters for interrogation.

Sanhedrin: 67 If you are the Anointed One whom God promised us, tell us plainly.

Jesus: If I give you an answer, you won’t believe it. 68 And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer it. 69 But this I will say to you: from now on, the Son of Man will take His seat at the right hand of the power of God.

Sanhedrin: 70 So You are the Son of God, then?

Jesus: It’s as you say.

Sanhedrin: 71 What more evidence do we need? We’ve heard it with our own ears from His own lips.

Footnotes

  1. 22:14 Literally, apostles
  2. 22:37 Isaiah 53:12
  3. 22:43-44 Some early manuscripts omit these verses.