The Plot to Kill Jesus

22 The(A) Festival of Unleavened Bread,(B) which is called Passover,(C) was approaching. 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)

Then(F) Satan entered Judas,(G) called Iscariot,(H) who was numbered among the Twelve. He went away and discussed with the chief priests and temple police(I) how he could hand him over(J) to them. They were glad and agreed to give him silver.[a] 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

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

“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?”

Footnotes

  1. 22:5 Or money
  2. 22:16 Other mss omit again
  3. 22:19–20 Other mss omit which is given for you (v. 19) through the end of v. 20
  4. 22:25 Or them call themselves
  5. 22:31 Other mss read Then the Lord said, “Simon, Simon
  6. 22:31 you is plural in Gk
  7. 22:32 you is singular in Gk
  8. 22:34 Other mss read before
  9. 22:37 Or it is necessary that what is written be fulfilled in me
  10. 22:37 Is 53:12
  11. 22:43–44 Other mss omit vv. 43–44
  12. 22:52 Lit as against a thief, or a bandit
  13. 22:64 Other mss add striking him on the face and
  14. 22:66 Or council of elders

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

22 The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.

The Last Supper

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”

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

10 He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, 11 say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ 12 He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” 13 They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.

14 When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table.[a] 15 Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”

17 Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then 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 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.[b]

21 “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. 22 For it has been determined that the Son of Man[c] must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” 23 The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing.

24 Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. 25 Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ 26 But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. 27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.

28 “You have stayed with me in my time of trial. 29 And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right 30 to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

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

34 But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?”

“No,” they replied.

36 “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! 37 For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’[d] Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”

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

“That’s enough,” he said.

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

39 Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. 40 There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”

41 He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.[e]

45 At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”

Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested

47 But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. 48 But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” 50 And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear.

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

52 Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. “Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 53 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.”

Peter Denies Jesus

54 So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. 55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. 56 A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”

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

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

“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.

59 About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”

60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

63 The guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and said, “Prophesy to us! Who hit you that time?” 65 And they hurled all sorts of terrible insults at him.

Jesus before the Council

66 At daybreak all the elders of the people assembled, including the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. Jesus was led before this high council,[f] 67 and they said, “Tell us, are you the Messiah?”

But he replied, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me. 68 And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.[g]

70 They all shouted, “So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?”

And he replied, “You say that I am.”

71 “Why do we need other witnesses?” they said. “We ourselves heard him say it.”

Footnotes

  1. 22:14 Or reclined together.
  2. 22:19-20 Some manuscripts do not include 22:19b-20, which is given for you . . . which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
  3. 22:22 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
  4. 22:37 Isa 53:12.
  5. 22:43-44 Verses 43 and 44 are not included in the most ancient manuscripts.
  6. 22:66 Greek before their Sanhedrin.
  7. 22:69 See Ps 110:1.