Mark 14:31-43

International Children’s Bible

³¹ But Peter answered strongly, “I will never say that I don’t know you! I will even die with you!” And all the other followers said the same thing.

Jesus Prays Alone

³² Jesus and his followers went to a place called Gethsemane. He said to his followers, “Sit here while I pray.” ³³ Jesus told Peter, James, and John to come with him. Then Jesus began to be very sad and troubled. ³⁴ He said to them, “I am full of sorrow. My heart is breaking with sadness. Stay here and watch.”

³⁵ Jesus walked a little farther away from them. Then he fell on the ground and prayed. He prayed that, if possible, he would not have this time of suffering. ³⁶ He prayed, “Abba,^[a] Father! You can do all things. Let me not have this cup^[b] of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want.”

³⁷ Then Jesus went back to his followers. He found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, why are you sleeping? You could not stay awake with me for one hour? ³⁸ Stay awake and pray that you will not be tempted. Your spirit wants to do what is right, but your body is weak.”

³⁹ Again Jesus went away and prayed the same thing. ⁴⁰ Then he went back to the followers. Again he found them asleep because their eyes were very heavy. And they did not know what to say to Jesus.

⁴¹ After Jesus prayed a third time, he went back to his followers. He said to them, “You are still sleeping and resting? That’s enough! The time has come for the Son of Man to be given to sinful people. ⁴² Get up! We must go. Here comes the man who has turned against me.”

Jesus Is Arrested

⁴³ While Jesus was still speaking, Judas came up. Judas was 1 of the 12 followers. He had many people with him. They were sent from the leading priests, the teachers of the law, and the Jewish elders. Those with Judas had swords and clubs.