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Plot to kill Jesus

22 The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called Passover, was approaching. The chief priests and the legal experts were looking for a way to kill Jesus, because they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. He went out and discussed with the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard how he could hand Jesus over to them. They were delighted and arranged payment for him. He agreed and began looking for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them—a time when the crowds would be absent.

Disciples prepare for the Passover

The Day of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John with this task: “Go and prepare for us to eat the Passover meal.”

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

10 Jesus replied, “When you go into the city, a man carrying a water jar will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters. 11 Say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher says to you, “Where is the guestroom where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?” ’ 12 He will show you a large upstairs room, already furnished. Make preparations there.” 13 They went and found everything just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

The Passover meal

14 When the time came, Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles joined him. 15 He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 I tell you, I won’t eat it until it is fulfilled in God’s kingdom.” 17 After taking a cup and giving thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 I tell you that from now on I won’t drink from the fruit of the vine until God’s kingdom has come.” 19 After taking the bread and giving thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, he took the cup after the meal and said, “This cup is the new covenant by my blood, which is poured out for you.

21 “But look! My betrayer is with me; his hand is on this table. 22 The Human One[a] goes just as it has been determined. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays him.” 23 They began to argue among themselves about which of them it could possibly be who would do this.

The disciples debate greatness

24 An argument broke out among the disciples over which one of them should be regarded as the greatest.

25 But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles rule over their subjects, and those in authority over them are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But that’s not the way it will be with you. Instead, the greatest among you must become like a person of lower status and the leader like a servant. 27 So which one is greater, the one who is seated at the table or the one who serves at the table? Isn’t it the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

28 “You are the ones who have continued with me in my trials. 29 And I confer royal power on you just as my Father granted royal power to me. 30 Thus you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones overseeing the twelve tribes of Israel.

Peter’s denial predicted

31 “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has asserted the right to sift you all like wheat. 32 However, I have prayed for you that your faith won’t fail. When you have returned, strengthen your brothers and sisters.”

33 Peter responded, “Lord, I’m ready to go with you, both to prison and to death!”

34 Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster won’t crow today before you have denied three times that you know me.”

Call for preparedness

35 Jesus said to them, “When I sent you out without a wallet, bag, or sandals, you didn’t lack anything, did you?”

They said, “Nothing.”

36 Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a wallet must take it, and likewise a bag. And those who don’t own a sword must sell their clothes and buy one. 37  I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in relation to me: And he was counted among criminals.[b]Indeed, what’s written about me is nearing completion.”

38 They said to him, “Lord, look, here are two swords.”

He replied, “Enough of that!”

Jesus in prayer

39 Jesus left and made his way to the Mount of Olives, as was his custom, and the disciples followed him. 40 When he arrived, he said to them, “Pray that you won’t give in to temptation.” 41 He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed. 42 He said, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” 43 Then a heavenly angel appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 He was in anguish and prayed even more earnestly. His sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. 45 When he got up from praying, he went to the disciples. He found them asleep, overcome by grief. 46 He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation.”

Jesus’ arrest

47 While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd appeared, and the one called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him.

48 Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Human One[c] with a kiss?”

49 When those around him recognized what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we fight with our swords?” 50 One of them struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear.

51 Jesus responded, “Stop! No more of this!” He touched the slave’s ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come to get him, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, as though I were a thief? 53 Day after day I was with you in the temple, but you didn’t arrest me. But this is your time, when darkness rules.”

Peter denies knowing Jesus

54 After they arrested Jesus, they led him away and brought him to the high priest’s house. Peter followed from a distance. 55 When they lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.

56 Then a servant woman saw him sitting in the firelight. She stared at him and said, “This man was with him too.”

57 But Peter denied it, saying, “Woman, I don’t know him!”

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

But Peter said, “Man, I’m not!”

59 An hour or so later, someone else insisted, “This man must have been with him, because he is a Galilean too.”

60 Peter responded, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” At that very moment, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered the Lord’s words: “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And Peter went out and cried uncontrollably.

Jesus taunted

63 The men who were holding Jesus in custody taunted him while they beat him. 64 They blindfolded him and asked him repeatedly, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” 65 Insulting him, they said many other horrible things against him.

Jesus before the Jerusalem leadership

66 As morning came, the elders of the people, both chief priests and legal experts, came together, and Jesus was brought before their council.

67 They said, “If you are the Christ, tell us!”

He answered, “If I tell you, you won’t believe. 68 And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. 69 But from now on, the Human One[d] will be seated on the right side of the power of God.”[e]

70 They all said, “Are you God’s Son, then?”

He replied, “You say that I am.”

71 Then they said, “Why do we need further testimony? We’ve heard it from his own lips.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 22:22 Or Son of Man
  2. Luke 22:37 Isa 53:12
  3. Luke 22:48 Or Son of Man
  4. Luke 22:69 Or Son of Man
  5. Luke 22:69 Ps 110:1

The Plot against Jesus(A)

22 (B)The time was near for the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover. The chief priests and the teachers of the Law were afraid of the people, and so they were trying to find a way of putting Jesus to death secretly.

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus(C)

Then Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples. So Judas went off and spoke with the chief priests and the officers of the Temple guard about how he could betray Jesus to them. They were pleased and offered to pay him money. Judas agreed to it and started looking for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them without the people knowing about it.

Jesus Prepares to Eat the Passover Meal(D)

The day came during the Festival of Unleavened Bread when the lambs for the Passover meal were to be killed. Jesus sent Peter and John with these instructions: “Go and get the Passover meal ready for us to eat.”

“Where do you want us to get it ready?” they asked him.

10 He answered, “As you go into the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house: ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the room where my disciples and I will eat the Passover meal?’ 12 He will show you a large furnished room upstairs, where you will get everything ready.”

13 They went off and found everything just as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

The Lord's Supper(E)

14 When the hour came, Jesus took his place at the table with the apostles. 15 He said to them, “I have wanted so much to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer! 16 For I tell you, I will never eat it until it is given its full meaning in the Kingdom of God.”

17 Then Jesus took a cup, gave thanks to God, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 I tell you that from now on I will not drink this wine until the Kingdom of God comes.”

19 Then he took a piece of bread, gave thanks to God, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” 20 (F)In the same way, he gave them the cup after the supper, saying, “This cup is God's new covenant sealed with my blood, which is poured out for you.[a]

21 (G)“But, look! The one who betrays me is here at the table with me! 22 The Son of Man will die as God has decided, but how terrible for that man who betrays him!”

23 Then they began to ask among themselves which one of them it could be who was going to do this.

The Argument about Greatness

24 (H)An argument broke out among the disciples as to which one of them should be thought of as the greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the pagans have power over their people, and the rulers claim the title ‘Friends of the People.’ 26 (I)But this is not the way it is with you; rather, the greatest one among you must be like the youngest, and the leader must be like the servant. 27 (J)Who is greater, the one who sits down to eat or the one who serves? The one who sits down, of course. But I am among you as one who serves.

28 “You have stayed with me all through my trials; 29 and just as my Father has given me the right to rule, so I will give you the same right. 30 (K)You will eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to rule over the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial(L)

31 “Simon, Simon! Listen! Satan has received permission to test all of you, to separate the good from the bad, as a farmer separates the wheat from the chaff. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you turn back to me, you must strengthen your brothers.”

33 Peter answered, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you and to die with you!”

34 “I tell you, Peter,” Jesus said, “the rooster will not crow tonight until you have said three times that you do not know me.”

Purse, Bag, and Sword

35 (M)Then Jesus asked his disciples, “When I sent you out that time without purse, bag, or shoes, did you lack anything?”

“Not a thing,” they answered.

36 “But now,” Jesus said, “whoever has a purse or a bag must take it; and whoever does not have a sword must sell his coat and buy one. 37 (N)For I tell you that the scripture which says, ‘He shared the fate of criminals,’ must come true about me, because what was written about me is coming true.”

38 The disciples said, “Look! Here are two swords, Lord!”

“That is enough!”[b] he replied.

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives(O)

39 Jesus left the city and went, as he usually did, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples went with him. 40 When he arrived at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”

41 Then he went off from them about the distance of a stone's throw and knelt down and prayed. 42 “Father,” he said, “if you will, take this cup of suffering away from me. Not my will, however, but your will be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 In great anguish he prayed even more fervently; his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.[c]

45 Rising from his prayer, he went back to the disciples and found them asleep, worn out by their grief. 46 He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you will not fall into temptation.”

The Arrest of Jesus(P)

47 Jesus was still speaking when a crowd arrived, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. He came up to Jesus to kiss him. 48 But Jesus said, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you betray the Son of Man?”

49 When the disciples who were with Jesus saw what was going to happen, they asked, “Shall we use our swords, Lord?” 50 And one of them struck the High Priest's slave and cut off his right ear.

51 But Jesus said, “Enough of this!” He touched the man's ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and the officers of the Temple guard and the elders who had come there to get him, “Did you have to come with swords and clubs, as though I were an outlaw? 53 (Q)I was with you in the Temple every day, and you did not try to arrest me. But this is your hour to act, when the power of darkness rules.”

Peter Denies Jesus(R)

54 They arrested Jesus and took him away into the house of the High Priest; and Peter followed at a distance. 55 A fire had been lit in the center of the courtyard, and Peter joined those who were sitting around it. 56 When one of the servant women saw him sitting there at the fire, she looked straight at him and said, “This man too was with Jesus!”

57 But Peter denied it, “Woman, I don't even know him!”

58 After a little while a man noticed Peter and said, “You are one of them, too!”

But Peter answered, “Man, I am not!”

59 And about an hour later another man insisted strongly, “There isn't any doubt that this man was with Jesus, because he also is a Galilean!”

60 But Peter answered, “Man, I don't know what you are talking about!”

At once, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned around and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered that the Lord had said to him, “Before the rooster crows tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me.” 62 Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Jesus Is Mocked and Beaten(S)

63 The men who were guarding Jesus made fun of him and beat him. 64 They blindfolded him and asked him, “Who hit you? Guess!” 65 And they said many other insulting things to him.

Jesus before the Council(T)

66 When day came, the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law met together, and Jesus was brought before the Council. 67 “Tell us,” they said, “are you the Messiah?”

He answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me; 68 and if I ask you a question, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right side of Almighty God.”

70 They all said, “Are you, then, the Son of God?”

He answered them, “You say that I am.”

71 And they said, “We don't need any witnesses! We ourselves have heard what he said!”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 22:20 Some manuscripts do not have the words of Jesus after This is my body in verse 19, and all of verse 20.
  2. Luke 22:38 That is enough; or Enough of this.
  3. Luke 22:44 Some manuscripts do not have verses 43-44.

The Plot to Kill Jesus(A)

22 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. So the high priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put him to death, because they were afraid of the crowd.

But Satan went into Judas called Iscariot, who belonged to the circle[a] of the Twelve. So he went off and discussed with the high priests and the Temple police how he could betray Jesus[b] to them. They were delighted, and agreed to give him money. Judas[c] accepted their offer and began to look for a good opportunity to betray Jesus[d] to them when no crowd was present.

The Passover with the Disciples(B)

Then the day of the Festival[e] of Unleavened Bread came, on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed. So Jesus[f] sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover meal.”

They asked him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?”

10 He told them, “Just after you go into the city, a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him into the house he enters 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, “Where is the room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?”’ 12 Then he will show you a large upstairs room that is furnished. Get things ready for us there.” 13 So they went and found everything just as Jesus[g] had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

The Lord’s Supper(C)

14 Now when the hour came, Jesus[h] took his place at the table, along with his apostles. 15 He told them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer, 16 because I tell all of you,[i] I will never eat it again until it finds its fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

17 Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves, 18 because I tell you, from now on I will never drink the product of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 Then he took a loaf of bread, gave thanks, broke it in pieces, and handed it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Keep on doing this in memory of me.”

20 He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant sealed[j] by my blood, which is being poured out for you. 21 Yet look! The hand of the man who is betraying me is with me on the table! 22 The Son of Man is going away, just as it has been determined, but how terrible it will be for that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 Then they began to discuss among themselves which one of them was going to do this.

An Argument about Greatness

24 Now an argument sprang up among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 But he told them, “The kings of the unbelievers[k] lord it over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But you are not to do so. On the contrary, the greatest among you should become like the youngest, and the one who leads should become like the one who serves. 27 Because who is greater, the one who sits at the table, or the one who serves? It is the one at the table, isn’t it? But I’m among you as one who serves.

28 “You are the ones who have always stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred a kingdom[l] on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit down on thrones to govern the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial(D)

31 “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has asked permission to sift all of you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail. When you have come back, you must strengthen your brothers.”

33 Peter[m] told him, “Lord, I am ready to go even to prison and to die with you!”

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

Be Prepared for Trouble

35 Then Jesus[o] asked his disciples,[p] “When I sent you out without a wallet, traveling bag, or sandals, you didn’t lack anything, did you?”

They replied, “Nothing at all.”

36 Then he told them, “But now whoever has a wallet must take it along, and his traveling bag, too. And the one who has no sword must sell his coat and buy one. 37 Because I tell you, what has been written about me must be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the criminals.’[q] Indeed, what is written about me must be fulfilled.”

38 So they said, “Lord, look! Here are two swords.”

He answered them, “Enough of that!”[r]

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives(E)

39 Then he left and went to the Mount of Olives, as usual. The disciples went with him. 40 When he arrived, he told them, “Keep on praying that you may not be tempted.” 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done.”

43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like large drops of blood falling on the ground.[s]

45 When he got up from prayer, he went to the disciples and found them asleep from sorrow. 46 He asked them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and keep on praying that you may not be tempted.”

Jesus is Arrested(F)

47 While Jesus[t] was still speaking, a crowd arrived. The man called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them, and he came close to Jesus to kiss[u] him. 48 But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When those who were around Jesus[v] saw what was about to take place, they asked, “Lord, should we attack with our swords?” 50 Then one of them struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear.

51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” So he touched the wounded man’s[w] ear and healed him.

52 Then Jesus told the high priests, the Temple police, and the elders, who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit?[x] 53 While I was with you day after day in the Temple, you didn’t lay a hand on me. But this is your hour, when darkness reigns!”[y]

Peter Denies Jesus(G)

54 Then they arrested him, led him away, and brought him to the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. 55 When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had taken their seats, Peter, too, sat down among them. 56 A servant girl saw him sitting by the fire, stared at him, and said, “This man was with him, too.”

57 But he denied it, “I don’t know him, woman!” he responded.

58 A little later, a man looked at him and said, “You are one of them, too.”

But Peter said, “Mister,[z] I am not!”

59 About an hour later, another man emphatically asserted, “This man was certainly with him, because he is a Galilean!”

60 But Peter said, “Mister,[aa] I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just then, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.

61 Then the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. And Peter remembered the word from the Lord, and how he had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 So he went outside and cried bitterly.

Jesus is Insulted and Beaten(H)

63 Then the men who were holding Jesus in custody began to make fun of him while they beat him. 64 They blindfolded him and asked him over and over again, “Prophesy! Who is the one who hit you?” 65 And they kept insulting[ab] him in many other ways.

66 As soon as day came, the elders of the people, the high priests, and the scribes assembled and brought him before their Council.[ac] 67 They said, “If you are the Messiah,[ad] tell us.”

But he told them, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me, 68 and if I ask you a question, you won’t answer me. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”[ae]

70 Then they all asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?”

He answered them, “You said it—I AM.”

71 “Why do we need any more testimony?” they asked. “We have heard it ourselves from his own mouth!”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 22:3 Lit. number
  2. Luke 22:4 Lit. him
  3. Luke 22:6 Lit. He
  4. Luke 22:6 Lit. him
  5. Luke 22:7 The Gk. lacks of the Festival
  6. Luke 22:8 Lit. he
  7. Luke 22:13 Lit. he
  8. Luke 22:14 Lit. he
  9. Luke 22:16 The Gk. pronoun you is pl.
  10. Luke 22:20 The Gk. lacks sealed
  11. Luke 22:25 Lit. gentiles; i.e. unbelieving non-Jews
  12. Luke 22:29 The Gk. lacks a kingdom
  13. Luke 22:33 Lit. He
  14. Luke 22:34 Lit. he
  15. Luke 22:35 Lit. he
  16. Luke 22:35 Lit. to them
  17. Luke 22:37 Cf. Isa 53:12
  18. Luke 22:38 Or That is enough
  19. Luke 22:44 Other mss. lack verses 43 and 44
  20. Luke 22:47 Lit. he
  21. Luke 22:47 People customarily greeted their friends with a kiss.
  22. Luke 22:49 Lit. him
  23. Luke 22:51 The Gk. lacks wounded man’s
  24. Luke 22:52 Or revolutionary
  25. Luke 22:53 Lit. your hour and the power of darkness
  26. Luke 22:58 Lit. Man
  27. Luke 22:60 Lit. Man
  28. Luke 22:65 Or blaspheming
  29. Luke 22:66 Or Sanhedrin
  30. Luke 22:67 Or Christ
  31. Luke 22:69 Or the power of God

22 And now the Passover celebration was drawing near—the Jewish festival when only bread made without yeast was used. The chief priests and other religious leaders were actively plotting Jesus’ murder, trying to find a way to kill him without starting a riot—a possibility they greatly feared.

Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went over to the chief priests and captains of the Temple guards to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were, of course, delighted to know that he was ready to help them and promised him a reward. So he began to look for an opportunity for them to arrest Jesus quietly when the crowds weren’t around.

Now the day of the Passover celebration arrived, when the Passover lamb was killed and eaten with the unleavened bread. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to find a place to prepare their Passover meal.

“Where do you want us to go?” they asked.

10 And he replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem,[a] you will see a man walking along carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him into the house he enters, 11 and say to the man who lives there, ‘Our Teacher says for you to show us the guest room where he can eat the Passover meal with his disciples.’ 12 He will take you upstairs to a large room all ready for us. That is the place. Go ahead and prepare the meal there.”

13 They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and prepared the Passover supper.

14 Then Jesus and the others arrived, and at the proper time all sat down together at the table; 15 and he said, “I have looked forward to this hour with deep longing, anxious to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won’t eat it again until what it represents has occurred in the Kingdom of God.”

17 Then he took a glass of wine, and when he had given thanks for it, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”

19 Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had thanked God for it, he broke it apart and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Eat it in remembrance of me.”

20 After supper he gave them another glass of wine, saying, “This wine is the token of God’s new agreement to save you—an agreement sealed with the blood I shall pour out to purchase back your souls.[b] 21 But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. 22 I[c] must die. It is part of God’s plan. But, oh, the horror awaiting that man who betrays me.”

23 Then the disciples wondered among themselves which of them would ever do such a thing.

24 And they began to argue among themselves as to who would have the highest rank in the coming Kingdom.[d]

25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men order their slaves around, and the slaves have no choice but to like it![e] 26 But among you, the one who serves you best will be your leader. 27 Out in the world the master sits at the table and is served by his servants. But not here! For I am your servant. 28 Nevertheless, because you have stood true to me in these terrible days,[f] 29 and because my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I, here and now, grant you the right 30 to eat and drink at my table in that Kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have you, to sift you like wheat, 32 but I have pleaded in prayer for you that your faith should not completely fail.[g] So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up the faith of your brothers.”

33 Simon said, “Lord, I am ready to go to jail with you, and even to die with you.”

34 But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Between now and tomorrow morning when the rooster crows, you will deny me three times, declaring that you don’t even know me.”

35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you were without money, duffle bag, or extra clothing, how did you get along?”

“Fine,” they replied.

36 “But now,” he said, “take a duffle bag if you have one and your money. And if you don’t have a sword, better sell your clothes and buy one! 37 For the time has come for this prophecy about me to come true: ‘He will be condemned as a criminal!’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”

38 “Master,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.”

“Enough!” he said.

39 Then, accompanied by the disciples, he left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. 40 There he told them, “Pray God that you will not be overcome by temptation.”[h]

41-42 He walked away, perhaps a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed this prayer: “Father, if you are willing, please take away this cup of horror from me. But I want your will, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him, 44 for he was in such agony of spirit that he broke into a sweat of blood, with great drops falling to the ground as he prayed more and more earnestly. 45 At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples—only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief.

46 “Asleep!” he said. “Get up! Pray God that you will not fall when you are tempted.”

47 But even as he said this, a mob approached, led by Judas, one of his twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus and kissed him on the cheek in friendly greeting.[i]

48 But Jesus said, “Judas, how can you do this—betray the Messiah with a kiss?”

49 When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Master, shall we fight? We brought along the swords!” 50 And one of them slashed at the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.

51 But Jesus said, “Don’t resist anymore.” And he touched the place where the man’s ear had been and restored it. 52 Then Jesus addressed the chief priests and captains of the Temple guards and the religious leaders who headed the mob. “Am I a robber,” he asked, “that you have come armed with swords and clubs to get me? 53 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment—the time when Satan’s power reigns supreme.”

54 So they seized him and led him to the high priest’s residence, and Peter followed at a distance. 55 The soldiers lit a fire in the courtyard and sat around it for warmth, and Peter joined them there.

56 A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she spoke: “This man was with Jesus!”

57 Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know the man!”

58 After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”

“No sir, I am not!” Peter replied.

59 About an hour later someone else flatly stated, “I know this fellow is one of Jesus’ disciples, for both are from Galilee.”

60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And as he said the words, a rooster crowed.

61 At that moment Jesus turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered what he had said—“Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times.” 62 And Peter walked out of the courtyard, crying bitterly.

63-64 Now the guards in charge of Jesus began mocking him. They blindfolded him and hit him with their fists and asked, “Who hit you that time, prophet?” 65 And they threw all sorts of other insults at him.

66 Early the next morning at daybreak the Jewish Supreme Court assembled, including the chief priests and all the top religious authorities of the nation. Jesus was led before this Council 67-68 and instructed to state whether or not he claimed to be the Messiah.

But he replied, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me or let me present my case. 69 But the time is soon coming when I, the Messiah,[j] shall be enthroned beside Almighty God.”

70 They all shouted, “Then you claim you are the Son of God?”

And he replied, “Yes, I am.”

71 “What need do we have for other witnesses?” they shouted. “For we ourselves have heard him say it.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 22:10 Jerusalem, literally, “the city.”
  2. Luke 22:20 This wine is the token . . . to purchase back your souls, literally, “This cup of the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you.”
  3. Luke 22:22 I, literally, “The Son of Man.”
  4. Luke 22:24 in the coming Kingdom, implied.
  5. Luke 22:25 the slaves have no choice but to like it, literally, “they [the kings and great men] are called ‘benefactors.’”
  6. Luke 22:28 you have stood true to me in these terrible days, literally, “you have continued with me in my temptation.”
  7. Luke 22:32 not completely fail, literally, “fail not.”
  8. Luke 22:40 that you will not be overcome by temptation, literally, “that you enter not into temptation.”
  9. Luke 22:47 walked over to Jesus and kissed him on the cheek in friendly greeting, literally, “approached Jesus to kiss him.” This is still the traditional greeting among men in Eastern lands.
  10. Luke 22:69 the Messiah, literally, “the Son of Man.”