The Plot to Kill Jesus

14 It(A) was two days before the Passover(B) and the Festival(C) of Unleavened Bread.(D) The chief priests and the scribes(E) were looking for a cunning(F) way to arrest Jesus and kill him.(G) “Not during the festival,” they said, “so that there won’t be a riot among the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany

While(H) he was in Bethany(I) at the house of Simon the leper,[a](J) as he was reclining at the table,(K) a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured it on his head.(L) But some were expressing indignation to one another: “Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii[b](M) and given to the poor.”(N) And they began to scold her.

Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a noble thing(O) for me. You always have the poor(P) with you, and you can do what is good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have me.(Q) She has done what she could; she has anointed my body(R) in advance for burial.(S) Truly I tell you,(T) wherever the gospel(U) is proclaimed in the whole world,(V) what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

10 Then(W) Judas Iscariot,(X) one of the Twelve,(Y) went to the chief priests(Z) to betray Jesus(AA) to them. 11 And when they heard this, they were glad and promised to give him money.(AB) So he started looking for a good opportunity to betray(AC) him.

Preparation for Passover

12 On(AD) the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb,(AE) his disciples(AF) asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare the Passover so that you may eat it?”

13 So he sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher(AG) says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples(AH) went out, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Betrayal at the Passover

17 When(AI) evening came, he arrived with the Twelve.(AJ) 18 While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

19 They began to be distressed and to say to him one by one, “Surely not I?”

20 He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping bread in the bowl with me. 21 For the Son of Man(AK) will go just as it is written(AL) about him,(AM) but woe(AN) to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.”

The First Lord’s Supper

22 As(AO) they were eating, he took bread,(AP) blessed and broke(AQ) it, gave it to them,(AR) and said, “Take it; this is my body.”(AS) 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks,(AT) he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant,[c](AU) which is poured out(AV) for many.(AW) 25 Truly I tell you,(AX) I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine(AY) until that day when I drink it new[d](AZ) in the kingdom of God.”(BA)

26 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.(BB)

Peter’s Denial Predicted

27 Then(BC) Jesus said to them, “All of you will fall away,[e] because it is written:(BD)

I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep(BE) will be scattered.[f](BF)

28 But after I have risen,(BG) I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”(BH)

29 Peter(BI) told him, “Even if everyone falls away, I will not.”

30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”(BJ)

31 But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” And they all said the same thing.

The Prayer in the Garden

32 Then(BK) they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he told his disciples,(BL) “Sit here while I pray.”(BM) 33 He took Peter,(BN) James,(BO) and John(BP) with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 He said to them, “I am deeply grieved[g] to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.”(BQ) 35 He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour(BR) might pass from him. 36 And he said, Abba,[h] Father!(BS) All things are possible(BT) for you. Take this cup(BU) away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Simon,(BV) are you sleeping?(BW) Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray(BX) so that you won’t enter into temptation.[i](BY) The spirit(BZ) is willing, but the flesh(CA) is weak.” 39 Once again he went away and prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to him.(CB) 41 Then he came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. See, the Son of Man(CC) is betrayed into the hands of sinners.(CD) 42 Get up; (CE) let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.”

Judas’s Betrayal of Jesus

43 While(CF) he was still speaking, Judas,(CG) one of the Twelve,(CH) suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes,(CI) and the elders.(CJ) 44 His betrayer had given them a signal. “The one I kiss,” he said, “he’s the one; arrest him and take him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Rabbi!” (CK) and kissed him. 46 They took hold of him and arrested him. 47 One of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear.

48 Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal,[j] to capture me? 49 Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple,(CL) and you didn’t arrest me. But the Scriptures(CM) must be fulfilled.”(CN)

50 Then they all deserted him and ran away.(CO) 51 Now a certain young man, wearing nothing but a linen cloth, was following him. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.(CP)

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin

53 They(CQ) led Jesus away to the high priest,(CR) and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes(CS) assembled.(CT) 54 Peter(CU) followed him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the servants,[k](CV) warming himself by the fire.

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin(CW) were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death,(CX) but they could not find any. 56 For many were giving false testimony(CY) against him, and the testimonies did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, stating, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands,(CZ) and in three days I will build another not made by hands.’” 59 Yet their testimony did not agree(DA) even on this.

60 Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?” 61 But he kept silent and did not answer.(DB) Again the high priest questioned him, “Are you the Messiah,(DC) the Son(DD) of the Blessed(DE) One?”

62 “I am,”(DF) said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man(DG) seated at the right hand(DH) of Power and coming with the clouds(DI) of heaven.”[l](DJ)

63 Then the high priest(DK) tore his robes(DL) and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?(DM) 64 You have heard the blasphemy.(DN) What is your decision?” They all condemned him as deserving death.(DO)

65 Then some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to beat him, saying, “Prophesy!” (DP) The temple servants(DQ) also took him and slapped him.

Peter Denies His Lord

66 While(DR) Peter(DS) was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s maidservants came. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.”(DT)

68 But he denied it: “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about.” Then he went out to the entryway,[m] and a rooster crowed.[n]

69 When the maidservant saw him again, she began to tell those standing nearby, “This man is one of them.”

70 But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, since you’re also a Galilean.”[o](DU)

71 Then he started to curse and swear,(DV) “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”

72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time,(DW) and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Footnotes

  1. 14:3 Gk lepros; a term for various skin diseases; see Lv 13–14
  2. 14:5 A denarius = one day’s wage
  3. 14:24 Other mss read the new covenant
  4. 14:25 Or drink new wine; lit drink it new
  5. 14:27 Other mss add because of me this night
  6. 14:27 Zch 13:7
  7. 14:34 Or “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow
  8. 14:36 Aramaic for father
  9. 14:38 Or won’t be put to the test
  10. 14:48 Or insurrectionist
  11. 14:54 Or temple police, or officers, also in v. 65
  12. 14:62 Ps 110:1; Dn 7:13
  13. 14:68 Or forecourt
  14. 14:68 Other mss omit and a rooster crowed
  15. 14:70 Other mss add and your speech shows it

The Plot to Kill Jesus(A)

14 Now the feasts of the Passover and of Unleavened Bread were two days away. And the chief priests and the scribes looked for a way to seize Him secretly and kill Him. But they said “Not on the feast day, lest there will be an uproar among the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany(B)

While He was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at supper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of ointment, a very costly spikenard. She broke the jar and poured the ointment on His head.

There were some with indignation within themselves, saying, “Why was this ointment wasted? It might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii[a] and given to the poor.” And they grumbled against her.

Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. You always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish, you may do good to them. But you will not always have Me. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel will be preached throughout the whole world, what she has done will also be spoken of as a memorial to her.”

Judas’ Agreement to Betray Jesus(C)

10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. 11 When they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him silver. So he looked for how he might conveniently betray Him.

The Passover With the Disciples(D)

12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

13 So He sent two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you there. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”

16 His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it as He had told them. And they prepared the Passover.

17 In the evening He came with the twelve. 18 As they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, one of you who is eating with Me will betray Me.”

19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” and another, “Is it I?”

20 He answered them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread in the dish with Me. 21 The Son of Man indeed goes as it is written concerning Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.”

The Lord’s Supper(E)

22 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “Take and eat it. This is My body.”

23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them. And they all drank from it.

24 He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 Truly I say to you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Peter’s Denial Foretold(F)

27 Jesus said to them, “All of you will fall away on account of Me this night, for it is written:

‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered.’[b]

28 But after I have risen, I will go before you to Galilee.”

29 Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

30 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you that this day, during the night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”

31 But he said more vehemently, “If I must die with You, I will not deny You.” They all said the same thing.

The Prayer in Gethsemane(G)

32 They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. And He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter and James and John with Him and began to be greatly distressed and very troubled. 34 And He said to them, “My soul is deeply sorrowful unto death. Remain here and keep watch.”

35 He went a little farther and fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.”

37 Then He came and found them sleeping and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not keep watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39 Again He went away and prayed the same words. 40 When He returned, He again found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And they did not know what to answer Him.

41 When He returned a third time, He said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise up, let us go. Look! He who betrays Me is at hand.”

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus(H)

43 Immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

44 Now he who betrayed Him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One. Seize Him and lead Him away safely.” 45 So as soon as he came, he went to Him immediately and said, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 46 They laid hands on Him and seized Him. 47 Then one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.

48 Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would a thief? 49 Every day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then they all deserted Him and fled.

The Young Man Who Fled

51 A young man followed Him, wearing a linen cloth around himself. And the young men laid hold of him, 52 so he left the linen cloth, and fled from them unclothed.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin(I)

53 They led Jesus away to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were assembled with him. 54 Peter followed Him at a distance into the courtyard of the high priest. He sat with the guards and warmed himself by the fire.

55 Now the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin requested testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. 56 Many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.

57 Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, 58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another not made with hands.’ ” 59 But still their testimony did not agree.

60 Then the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Do You answer nothing? What is it which these men testify against You?” 61 But He kept silent and answered nothing.

Again the high priest asked Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

63 The high priest tore his robes, saying, “What need do we have of any further witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned Him as guilty unto death. 65 Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to strike Him, saying to Him, “Prophesy!” And the guards struck Him with the palms of their hands.

Peter’s Denial of Jesus(J)

66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.”

68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” Then he went out to the porch, and a rooster crowed.

69 The servant girl saw him again and began to say to those who stood by, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again, he denied it.

A little while later, those who stood by said again to Peter, “Surely, you are one of them. For you are a Galilean, and your speech confirms it.”

71 Peter began to invoke a curse on himself, and to swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak.”

72 And the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought on this, he wept.

Footnotes

  1. Mark 14:5 A year’s wages.
  2. Mark 14:27 Zec 13:7.