God Selects Gideon’s Army

7 Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the troops who were with him, got up early and camped beside the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them, below the hill of Moreh, in the valley. ² The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many troops for me to hand the Midianites over to them, or else Israel might elevate themselves over me and say,^[a] ‘I saved myself.’ ³ Now announce to the troops, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’”^(A) So twenty-two thousand of the troops turned back, but ten thousand remained.

⁴ Then the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many troops. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one can go with you,’ he can go. But if I say about anyone, ‘This one cannot go with you,’ he cannot go.” ⁵ So he brought the troops down to the water, and the Lord said to Gideon, “Separate everyone who laps water with his tongue like a dog. Do the same with everyone who kneels to drink.” ⁶ The number of those who lapped with their hands to their mouths was three hundred men, and all the rest of the troops knelt to drink water. ⁷ The Lord said to Gideon, “I will deliver you^(B) with the three hundred men who lapped and hand the Midianites over to you. But everyone else is to go home.” ⁸ So Gideon sent all the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred troops, who took the provisions and their rams’ horns. The camp of Midian was below him in the valley.

Gideon Spies on the Midianite Camp

⁹ That night the Lord said to him, “Get up and attack the camp, for I have handed it over to you.^{(C) 10} But if you are afraid to attack the camp, go down with Purah your servant. ¹¹ Listen to what they say, and then you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he went down with Purah his servant to the outpost of the troops^[b] who were in the camp.

¹² Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and all the people of the east had settled down in the valley like a swarm of locusts, and their camels were as innumerable as the sand on the seashore. ¹³ When Gideon arrived, there was a man telling his friend about a dream. He said, “Listen, I had a dream:^(D) a loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp, struck a tent, and it fell. The loaf turned the tent upside down so that it collapsed.”

¹⁴ His friend answered, “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has handed the entire Midianite camp over to him.”

Gideon Attacks the Midianites

¹⁵ When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to Israel’s camp and said, “Get up, for the Lord has handed the Midianite camp over to you.” ¹⁶ Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each of the men a ram’s horn in one hand and an empty pitcher with a torch inside it in the other hand.

¹⁷ “Watch me,” he said to them, “and do what I do. When I come to the outpost of the camp, do as I do. ¹⁸ When I and everyone with me blow our rams’ horns, you are also to blow your rams’ horns all around the camp. Then you will say, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’”

¹⁹ Gideon and the hundred men who were with him went to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch after the sentries had been stationed. They blew their rams’ horns and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. ²⁰ The three companies blew their rams’ horns and shattered their pitchers. They held their torches in their left hands and their rams’ horns to blow in their right hands, and they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” ²¹ Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army began to run, and they cried out as they fled. ²² When Gideon’s men blew their three hundred rams’ horns, the Lord caused the men in the whole army to turn on each other with their swords.^(E) They fled to Acacia House^[c] in the direction of Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah^(F) near Tabbath. ²³ Then the men of Israel were called from Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh, and they pursued the Midianites.

The Men of Ephraim Join the Battle

²⁴ Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim with this message: “Come down to intercept the Midianites and take control of the watercourses ahead of them as far as Beth-barah and the Jordan.” So all the men of Ephraim^(G) were called out, and they took control of the watercourses as far as Beth-barah and the Jordan. ²⁵ They captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian; they killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb, while they were pursuing the Midianites. They brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon across the Jordan.

8 The men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you done this to us, not calling us when you went to fight against the Midianites?” And they argued with him violently.

² So he said to them, “What have I done now compared to you? Is not the gleaning^(H) of Ephraim better than the grape harvest^(I) of Abiezer? ³ God handed over to you Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian. What was I able to do compared to you?” When he said this, their anger against him subsided.

Gideon Pursues the Kings of Midian

⁴ Gideon and the three hundred men came to the Jordan and crossed it. They were exhausted but still in pursuit. ⁵ He said to the men of Succoth,^(J) “Please give some loaves of bread to the troops under my command,^[d] because they are exhausted, for I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”

⁶ But the princes of Succoth asked, “Are Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hands that we should give bread to your army?”

⁷ Gideon replied, “Very well, when the Lord has handed Zebah and Zalmunna over to me, I will tear^[e] your flesh with thorns and briers from the wilderness!” ⁸ He went from there to Penuel and asked the same thing from them. The men of Penuel^(K) answered just as the men of Succoth had answered. ⁹ He also told the men of Penuel, “When I return safely, I will tear down this tower!”

¹⁰ Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and with them was their army of about fifteen thousand men, who were all those left of the entire army of the people of the east. Those who had been killed were one hundred twenty thousand armed men. ¹¹ Gideon traveled on the caravan route^[f] east of Nobah^(L) and Jogbehah and attacked their army while the army felt secure. ¹² Zebah and Zalmunna fled, and he pursued them. He captured these two kings of Midian and routed the entire army.

¹³ Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle by the Ascent of Heres. ¹⁴ He captured a youth from the men of Succoth and interrogated him. The youth wrote down for him the names of the seventy-seven leaders and elders of Succoth. ¹⁵ Then he went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. You taunted me about them, saying, ‘Are Zebah and Zalmunna now in your power that we should give bread to your exhausted men?’” ¹⁶ So he took the elders of the city, and he took some thorns and briers from the wilderness, and he disciplined the men of Succoth with them. ¹⁷ He also tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.

¹⁸ He asked Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?”

“They were like you,” they said. “Each resembled the son of a king.”

¹⁹ So he said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother! As the Lord lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.” ²⁰ Then he said to Jether, his firstborn, “Get up and kill them.” The youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid because he was still a youth.

²¹ Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Get up and strike us down yourself, for a man is judged by his strength.” So Gideon got up, killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and took the crescent ornaments that were on the necks of their camels.

Gideon’s Legacy

²² Then the Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us,^(M) you as well as your sons and your grandsons, for you delivered us from the power of Midian.”

²³ But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you.” ²⁴ Then he said to them, “Let me make a request of you: Everyone give me an earring from his plunder.” Now the enemy had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.

²⁵ They said, “We agree to give them.” So they spread out a cloak, and everyone threw an earring from his plunder on it. ²⁶ The weight of the gold earrings he requested was forty-three pounds^[g] of gold, in addition to the crescent ornaments and ear pendants, the purple garments on the kings of Midian, and the chains on the necks of their camels. ²⁷ Gideon made an ephod^(N) from all this and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. Then all Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his household.

²⁸ So Midian was subdued before the Israelites, and they were no longer a threat. The land had peace for forty years^(O) during the days of Gideon. ²⁹ Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) son of Joash went back to live at his house.

³⁰ Gideon had seventy sons, his own offspring, since he had many wives. ³¹ His concubine who was in Shechem^(P) also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. ³² Then Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

³³ When Gideon died, the Israelites turned and prostituted^(Q) themselves by worshiping the Baals and made Baal-berith^[h] their god. ³⁴ The Israelites did not remember the Lord their God^(R) who had rescued them from the hand of the enemies around them. ³⁵ They did not show kindness^(S) to the house of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) for all the good he had done for Israel.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

22 The^(A) Festival of Unleavened Bread,^(B) which is called Passover,^(C) was approaching. ² The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put him to death,^(D) because they were afraid of the people.^(E)

³ Then^(F) Satan entered Judas,^(G) called Iscariot,^(H) who was numbered among the Twelve. ⁴ He went away and discussed with the chief priests and temple police^(I) how he could hand him over^(J) to them. ⁵ They were glad and agreed to give him silver.^{[a] 6} So he accepted the offer and started looking for a good opportunity to betray him to them when the crowd was not present.

Preparation for Passover

⁷ Then^(K) the Day of Unleavened Bread came when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.^{(L) 8} Jesus sent Peter and John,^(M) saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

⁹ “Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him.

¹⁰ “Listen,” he said to them, “when you’ve entered the city, a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him into the house he enters. ¹¹ Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ ¹² Then he will show you a large, furnished room upstairs.^(N) Make the preparations there.”

¹³ So they went and found it just as he had told them,^(O) and they prepared the Passover.

The First Lord’s Supper

¹⁴ When^(P) the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. ¹⁵ Then he said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ For I tell you, I will not eat it again^[b] until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”^{(Q) 17} Then he took a cup,^(R) and after giving thanks,^(S) he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. ¹⁸ For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

¹⁹ And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is my body,^(T) which is given for you. Do this in remembrance ^(U) of me.”

²⁰ In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant^(V) in my blood,^(W) which is poured out for you.^{[c] 21} But^(X) look, the hand of the one betraying me is at the table with me.^{(Y) 22} For the Son of Man will go away as it has been determined,^(Z) but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!”

²³ So they began to argue^(AA) among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do it.

The Dispute over Greatness

²⁴ Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest.^{(AB) 25} But he said to them,^(AC) “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them have themselves called^[d] ‘Benefactors.’ ²⁶ It is not to be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you should become like the youngest,^(AD) and whoever leads, like the one serving. ²⁷ For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.^{(AE) 28} You are those who stood by me in my trials.^{(AF) 29} I bestow on you a kingdom,^(AG) just as my Father bestowed one on me, ³⁰ so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.^(AH) And you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.^(AI)

Peter’s Denial Predicted

³¹ “Simon, Simon,^[e] look out. Satan^(AJ) has asked to sift you^[f] like wheat.^{(AK) 32} But I have prayed^(AL) for you^[g] that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen^(AM) your brothers.”

³³ “Lord,”^(AN) he told him, “I’m ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”

³⁴ “I tell you, Peter,” he said, “the rooster will not crow today until^[h] you deny three times that you know me.”

Be Ready for Trouble

³⁵ He also said to them, “When I sent you out^(AO) without money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Not a thing,” they said.

³⁶ Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a money-bag should take it, and also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn’t have a sword should sell his robe and buy one. ³⁷ For I tell you, what is written must be fulfilled in me: ^[i] And he was counted among the lawless.^[j](AP) Yes, what is written about me is coming to its fulfillment.”^(AQ)

³⁸ “Lord,” they said, “look, here are two swords.”

“That is enough!” he told them.

The Prayer in the Garden

³⁹ He went out and made his way^(AR) as usual^(AS) to the Mount of Olives,^(AT) and the disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ When he reached the place,^(AU) he told them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.”^{(AV) 41} Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray,^{(AW) 42} “Father, if you are willing, take this cup^(AX) away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

⁴³ Then an angel from heaven^(AY) appeared to him, strengthening him. ⁴⁴ Being in anguish,^(AZ) he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.^{[k] 45} When he got up from prayer and came to the disciples, he found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief. ⁴⁶ “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you won’t fall into temptation.”

Judas’s Betrayal of Jesus

⁴⁷ While^(BA) he was still speaking, suddenly a mob came, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss him, ⁴⁸ but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

⁴⁹ When those around him saw what was going to happen, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” ⁵⁰ Then one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.

⁵¹ But Jesus responded, “No more of this!” And touching his ear, he healed him. ⁵² Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal?^{[l] 53} Every day while I was with you in the temple,^(BB) you never laid a hand on me. But this is your hour^(BC) —and the dominion of darkness.”^(BD)

Peter Denies His Lord

⁵⁴ They seized him, led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. Meanwhile Peter^(BE) was following at a distance. ⁵⁵ They^(BF) lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard^(BG) and sat down together, and Peter sat among them. ⁵⁶ When a servant saw him sitting in the light, and looked closely at him, she said, “This man was with him too.”

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

⁵⁸ After a little while, someone else saw him and said, “You’re one of them too.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter said.

⁵⁹ About an hour later, another kept insisting, “This man was certainly with him, since he’s also a Galilean.”

⁶⁰ But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. ⁶¹ Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter.^(BH) So Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”^{(BI) 62} And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Jesus Mocked and Beaten

⁶³ The men who were holding Jesus started mocking and beating him.^{(BJ) 64} After blindfolding him, they kept^[m] asking, “Prophesy! Who was it that hit you?” ⁶⁵ And they were saying many other blasphemous^(BK) things to him.

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin

⁶⁶ When daylight came,^(BL) the elders^[n] of the people, both the chief priests and the scribes,^(BM) convened and brought him before their Sanhedrin.^{(BN) 67} They said,^(BO) “If you are the Messiah, tell us.”

But he said to them, “If I do tell you, you will not believe. ⁶⁸ And if I ask you, you will not answer. ⁶⁹ But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”^(BP)

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

And he said to them, “You say that I am.”^(BR)

⁷¹ “Why do we need any more testimony,” they said, “since we’ve heard it ourselves from his mouth?”