The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 When Jesus had finished this ^[a]discourse, He said to His disciples, ² “You know that the Passover is coming in two days, and the Son of Man is to be betrayed and handed over for crucifixion.”^(A)

³ Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the courtyard of the [elegant home of the Jewish] high priest, whose name was ^[b]Caiaphas, ⁴ and plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him. ⁵ But they said, “It must not be during the festival (Passover), otherwise there might be a riot among the people.”

The Anointing in Bethany

⁶ Now when Jesus was [back] in Bethany, at the home of ^[c]Simon the leper,^{(B) 7} a ^[d]woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive ^[e]perfume and she poured it on Jesus’ head as He reclined at the table. ⁸ But when the ^[f]disciples saw it they were indignant and angry, saying, “Why all this waste [of money]? ⁹ For this perfume might have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” ¹⁰ But Jesus, aware [of the malice] of this [remark], said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? She has done a good thing to Me. ¹¹ For you always have the poor with you; but you will not always have Me.^{(C) 12} When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. ¹³ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever this gospel [of salvation] is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her [for her act of love and devotion].”

Judas’ Bargain

¹⁴ Then one of the twelve [disciples], who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests ¹⁵ and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you?” And they weighed out ^[g]thirty pieces of silver.^{(D) 16} And from that moment Judas began looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus.^(E)

¹⁷ Now on the first day of ^[h]Unleavened Bread (Passover Week) the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”^{(F) 18} He said, “Go into the city to ^[i]a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time [to suffer and atone for sin] is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’” ¹⁹ [Accordingly] the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.^(G)

The Last Passover

²⁰ When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.^{(H) 21} And as they were eating, He said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you that one of you will betray Me.” ²² Being deeply grieved and extremely distressed, each one of them began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” ²³ Jesus answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the bowl with Me [as a ^[j]pretense of friendship] will betray Me. ²⁴ The Son of Man is to go [to the cross], just as it is written [in Scripture] of Him; but woe (judgment is coming) 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.”^{(I) 25} And Judas, the betrayer, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “^[k]You have said it yourself.”

The Lord’s Supper Instituted

²⁶ Now as they were eating Jesus took bread, and after ^[l]blessing it, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”^{(J) 27} And when He had taken a cup and ^[m]given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; ²⁸ for this is My blood of the [new and better] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many [as a ^[n]substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins.^{(K) 29} But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

³⁰ After singing a ^[o]hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

³¹ Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night [disillusioned about Me, confused, and some even ashamed of Me], for it is written [in the Scriptures], ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’^{(L) 32} But after I am raised [to life], I will go ahead of you [leading the way] to Galilee.” ³³ Peter replied to Him, “Though they all fall away because of You [and doubt and disown You], I will never fall away!”^{(M) 34} Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this night, before a rooster crows, you will [completely] deny Me three times.” ³⁵ Peter said to Jesus, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And all the disciples said the same thing.

The Garden of Gethsemane

³⁶ Then Jesus came with them to a place called ^[p]Gethsemane (olive-press), and He told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”^{(N) 37} And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John], He began to be grieved and greatly distressed. ³⁸ Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and stay awake and keep watch with Me.”

³⁹ And after going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible [that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup ^[q]pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” ⁴⁰ And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not stay awake and keep watch with Me for one hour? ⁴¹ Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the ^[r]body is weak.”

⁴² He went away a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” ⁴³ Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words once more. ⁴⁵ Then He returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Listen, ^[s]the hour [of My sacrifice] is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners [whose way and nature is to oppose God]. ⁴⁶ Get up, let us go. Look, My betrayer is near!”

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest

⁴⁷ As Jesus was still speaking, Judas [Iscariot], one of the twelve [disciples], came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, [who came as representatives] from the chief priests and elders of the people.^{(O) 48} Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” ⁴⁹ Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Greetings (rejoice), Rabbi!” And he ^[t]kissed Him [in a deliberate act of betrayal]. ⁵⁰ Jesus said to Judas, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then they came and seized Jesus and arrested Him.

⁵¹ And ^[u]one of those who were with Jesus reached out and drew his sword, and struck [Malchus] the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.^{(P) 52} Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place; for all those who habitually draw the sword will die by the sword.^{(Q) 53} Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will immediately provide Me with more than twelve ^[v]legions of angels? ⁵⁴ How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?”

⁵⁵ At that moment Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Day after day I used to sit in the porches and courts of the temple teaching, and you did not arrest Me. ⁵⁶ But all this has taken place so that the Scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

Jesus before Caiaphas

⁵⁷ Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to ^[w]Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) had gathered [^[x]illegally] together.^{(R) 58} But Peter followed Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the [elegant home of the Jewish] high priest, and went inside, and sat with the ^[y]guards to see the outcome.

⁵⁹ Now the chief priests and the whole Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) tried to get false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so that they might [have a reason to] put Him to death. ⁶⁰ They found none, even though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward, ⁶¹ and testified, “This man said, ‘^[z]I am able to ^[aa]tear down the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” ⁶² The high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Have You no answer to give? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” ⁶³ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I call on You to swear a binding oath by the living God, that you tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” ⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “You have [in fact] said it; but more than that I tell you [regardless of what you do with Me now], in the future you will see [Me revealed as] the Son of Man seated at the ^[ab]right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^(S)

⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his ^[ac]robes [in mock horror] and exclaimed, “He has blasphemed [by making Himself God’s equal]! What further need have we of witnesses or evidence? See, you have now heard the blasphemy.^{(T) 66} What do you think?” They answered, “^[ad]He deserves to be put to death.”

⁶⁷ Then they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists; and some slapped Him,^{(U) 68} saying, “^[ae]Prophesy to us, You Christ (Messiah, Anointed); who was it that struck You?”

Peter’s Denials

⁶⁹ Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came up to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.”^{(V) 70} But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” ⁷¹ And when he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.” ⁷² And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” ⁷³ After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them too; for even your [Galilean] accent gives you away.” ⁷⁴ Then he began to curse [that is, to invoke God’s judgment on himself] and swear [an oath], “I do not know the man!” And at that moment a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵ And Peter remembered the [prophetic] words of Jesus, when He had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly [in repentance].

Judas’ Remorse

27 When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) conferred together against Jesus, [plotting how] to put Him to death [since under Roman rule they had no power to execute anyone]; ² so they bound Him, and led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the governor [of Judea, who had the authority to condemn prisoners to death].

³ When Judas, His betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was gripped with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders,^{(W) 4} saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They replied, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” ⁵ And throwing the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary, he left; and went away and ^[af]hanged himself. ⁶ The chief priests, picking up the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put these in the treasury [of the temple], because it is the price of blood.” ⁷ So after consultation they used the money to buy the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. ⁸ Therefore that piece of ground has been called the Field of Blood to this day. ⁹ Then the words spoken by Jeremiah the prophet were fulfilled: “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him on whom a price had been set by the sons of Israel;^{(X) 10} and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord directed me.”^(Y)

Jesus before Pilate

¹¹ Now Jesus stood before [Pilate] the governor, and the governor asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” [In affirmation] Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”^{(Z) 12} But when the charges were brought against Him by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer.^{(AA) 13} Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?” ¹⁴ But Jesus did not reply to him, not even to a single accusation, so that the governor was greatly astonished.

¹⁵ Now at the feast [of the Passover] the governor was in the habit of setting free any one prisoner whom the people chose.^{(AB) 16} And at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner [guilty of insurrection and murder], called Barabbas. ¹⁷ So when they had assembled [for this purpose], Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to set free for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” ¹⁸ For Pilate knew that it was because of jealousy that the chief priests and elders had handed Jesus over to him.

¹⁹ While he was seated on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous and innocent Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” ²⁰ But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. ²¹ The governor said to them, “Which of the two do you wish me to set free for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” ²² Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all replied, “Let Him be crucified!” ²³ And he said, “Why, what has He done that is evil?” But they continued shouting all the louder, “Let Him be crucified!”^(AC)

²⁴ So when Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but rather that a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands [to ceremonially cleanse himself of guilt] in the presence of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this [righteous] Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.”^{(AD) 25} And all the people answered, “Let [the responsibility for] His blood be on us and on our children!”^{(AE) 26} So he set Barabbas free for them; but after having Jesus severely whipped (scourged), he handed Him over to be crucified.

Jesus Is Mocked

²⁷ Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into ^[ag]the Praetorium, and they gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him.^{(AF) 28} They stripped him and put a scarlet ^[ah]robe on Him [as a king’s robe]. ²⁹ And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and put a reed in His right hand [as a scepter]. Kneeling before Him, they ridiculed Him, saying, “Hail (rejoice), King of the Jews!” ³⁰ They spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him repeatedly on the head. ³¹ After they finished ridiculing Him, they stripped Him of the scarlet robe and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

³² Now as they were coming out, they found a man of ^[ai]Cyrene named ^[aj]Simon, whom they forced into service ^[ak]to carry the cross of Jesus.^(AG)

The Crucifixion

³³ And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means ^[al]Place of a Skull,^{(AH) 34} they offered Him wine mixed with gall (myrrh, a bitter-tasting narcotic) to drink; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.

³⁵ And when they had crucified Him, they divided His clothes among them by casting ^[am]lots.^{(AI) 36} Then sitting down there, they began to keep watch over Him [to guard against any rescue attempt]. ³⁷ And above His head they put the accusation against Him which read, “^[an]THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

³⁸ At the same time two robbers were crucified with Jesus, one on the right and one on the left. ³⁹ Those who passed by were hurling abuse at Him and jeering at Him, wagging their heads [in scorn and ridicule],^{(AJ) 40} and they said [tauntingly], “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself [from death]! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” ⁴¹ In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, mocked Him, saying, ⁴² “He saved others [from death]; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him and acknowledge Him. ⁴³ He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”^{(AK) 44} The robbers who had been crucified with Him also began to insult Him in the same way.

⁴⁵ Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.).^{(AL) 46} About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud [agonized] voice, ^[ao]“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”^{(AM) 47} When some of the bystanders there heard it, they began saying, “This man is calling for ^[ap]Elijah.” ⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, soaked it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink.^{(AN) 49} But the rest said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him [from death].” ⁵⁰ And Jesus cried out again with a loud [agonized] voice, and gave up His spirit [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan].^{(AO) 51} And [at once] the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was ^[aq]torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split apart.^{(AP) 52} The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints (God’s people) who had fallen asleep [in death] were raised [to life]; ⁵³ and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city (Jerusalem) and appeared to many people. ⁵⁴ Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, they were terribly frightened and filled with awe, and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

⁵⁵ There were also many women there looking on from a distance, who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him. ⁵⁶ Among them was ^[ar]Mary Magdalene, and ^[as]Mary the mother of ^[at]James and Joseph, and [Salome] the ^[au]mother of Zebedee’s sons [James and John].

Jesus Is Buried

⁵⁷ When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus.^{(AQ) 58} He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus [so that he might bury Him], and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. ⁵⁹ And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth (burial wrapping), ⁶⁰ and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock; and he rolled a large stone over the entrance of the tomb and went away. ⁶¹ And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other ^[av]Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

⁶² The next day, that is, the day after the [day of] preparation [for the Sabbath], the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled before Pilate, ⁶³ and said, “Sir, we have remembered that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise [from the dead].’ ⁶⁴ Therefore, give orders to have the tomb made secure and safeguarded until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception [the reporting of His resurrection] will be worse than the first [the reporting that He is the Messiah].” ⁶⁵ Pilate said to them, “You have a guard [of soldiers]; go [with them], make the tomb as secure as you know how.” ⁶⁶ So they went and ^[aw]made the tomb secure, and along with [stationing] a guard of soldiers [to be on watch] they set a seal on the stone.

Death Plot and the Anointing in Bethany

14 It was now two days before the Passover and [the festival of] Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes were searching for a deceitful way to arrest Jesus and kill Him;^{(A) 2} but they were saying, “Not during the festival, for the people might riot.”

³ While He was in Bethany [as a guest] at the home of ^[a]Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, a ^[b]woman came with an alabaster vial of very costly and precious perfume of pure ^[c]nard; and she broke the vial and poured the perfume over His head. ⁴ But there were ^[d]some who were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? ⁵ For this perfume might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii [a laborer’s wages for almost a year], and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. ⁶ But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why are you bothering her and causing trouble? She has done a good and beautiful thing to Me. ⁷ For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do something good to them; but you will not always have Me.^{(B) 8} She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. ⁹ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever the good news [regarding salvation] is proclaimed throughout the world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

¹⁰ Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve [disciples], went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.^{(C) 11} When they heard this they were delighted, and promised to give him money. And he began looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus.

The Last Passover

¹² On the first day [of the festival] of ^[e]Unleavened Bread, when [as was customary] they sacrificed the Passover lamb, His disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?”^{(D) 13} And He sent two of His disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a ^[f]man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him; ¹⁴ and say to the ^[g]owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ ¹⁵ He will show you a large upstairs room, furnished and ready [with carpets and dining couches]; prepare [the supper] for us there.” ¹⁶ The disciples left and went to the city and found everything just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

¹⁷ When it was evening, He came with the twelve [disciples].^{(E) 18} While they were reclining at the table, Jesus said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you that one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.”^{(F) 19} They began to be grieved and deeply distressed and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?” ²⁰ And He replied, “It is one of the twelve [disciples], one who is dipping bread in the bowl with Me. ²¹ For the Son of Man goes [to the cross] just as it is written [in Scripture] of 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 not been born.”

The Lord’s Supper

²² While they were eating, Jesus took bread and ^[h]blessed it [giving thanks and praise], and He broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take it. This is My body.”^{(G) 23} And when He had taken a cup [of wine] and ^[i]given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.^{(H) 24} And He said to them, “This is My blood of the [new] covenant, [My blood] which is being poured out for many [for the forgiveness of sins]. ²⁵ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

²⁶ After they had sung a ^[j]hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

²⁷ Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away [and be ashamed and be afraid to be associated with Me as disciples], because it is written, ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’^{(I) 28} But after I have been raised [from the dead], I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” ²⁹ But Peter said to Him, “Even if they all fall away [and desert You, ashamed and afraid of being associated with You], yet I will not [do so]!” ³⁰ Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you will deny [that you even know] Me three times.”^{(J) 31} But Peter kept saying insistently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing as well.

Jesus in Gethsemane

³² Then they went to a place called Gethsemane; and Jesus said to His disciples, “Sit down here until I have prayed.”^{(K) 33} He took Peter and James and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled [extremely anguished at the prospect of what was to come]. ³⁴ And He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved and overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” ³⁵ After going a little farther, He fell to the ground [distressed by the weight of His spiritual burden] and began to pray that if it were possible [in the Father’s will], the hour [of suffering and death for the sins of mankind] might pass from Him. ³⁶ He was saying, “^[k]Abba, Father! All things are possible for You; take this cup [of judgment] away from Me; but not what I will, but what You will.” ³⁷ And He came back and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Were you unable to keep watch for one hour? ³⁸ Keep [actively] watching and praying so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the ^[l]body is weak.” ³⁹ He went away again and prayed, saying the same words. ⁴⁰ And again He came back and found them sleeping, because their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know how to answer Him. ⁴¹ He came back a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough [of that]! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴² Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is near!”

Betrayal and Arrest

⁴³ And at once, while He was still speaking, Judas [Iscariot], one of the twelve [disciples], came up, and with him a crowd of men with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders [of the Sanhedrin].^{(L) 44} Now the betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him and lead Him away safely [under guard].” ⁴⁵ When Judas came, immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Rabbi (Master)!” and he ^[m]kissed Him [forcefully]. ⁴⁶ They laid hands on Him and seized Him. ⁴⁷ But one of the bystanders [Simon Peter] drew his sword and struck [Malchus] the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.^{(M) 48} Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a robber? ⁴⁹ Day after day I was with you, teaching in the [courts and porches of the] temple, and you did not seize Me; but this has happened so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.” ⁵⁰ Then all of His disciples abandoned Him and fled.

⁵¹ A young ^[n]man was following Him, wearing [only] a linen sheet over his naked body; and some men seized him. ⁵² But pulling free of the linen sheet, he escaped [from them] naked.

Jesus before His Accusers

⁵³ They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) gathered together.^{(N) 54} Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers [guards and servants] and warming himself at the fire. ⁵⁵ Now the chief priests and the entire Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) were trying to obtain testimony against Jesus [which they could use] to have Him [condemned and] executed, but they were not finding any. ⁵⁶ For many [people] were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimonies were not consistent. ⁵⁷ Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying, ⁵⁸ “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple (sanctuary) that was made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’”^{(O) 59} Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent. ⁶⁰ The high priest stood up and came forward and asked Jesus, “Have You no answer to give [in response] to what these men are testifying against You?” ⁶¹ But Jesus kept silent and gave no answer at all. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the ^[o]Blessed One?” ⁶² Jesus said, “I am; and you will [all] see the Son of Man seated [with authority] at the right hand of Power (the Father), and coming with the clouds of heaven.”^{(P) 63} Then ^[p]tearing his robe [to express his indignation], the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses?^{(Q) 64} You have heard the blasphemy [that is, His claim to be the Son of God]. What is your decision?” And they all condemned Him to be [guilty and] deserving of death.^{(R) 65} And some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy [by telling us who hit you]!” Then the officers took custody of Him and struck him in the face.

Peter’s Denials

⁶⁶ While Peter was down below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came,^{(S) 67} and when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him and said, “You were with Jesus the Nazarene, too.” ⁶⁸ But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” Then he went out [of the courtyard] to the porch, ^[q][and a rooster crowed.] ⁶⁹ The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to tell the bystanders, “This [man] is one of them.” ⁷⁰ But again he denied it. After a little while, the bystanders again said to Peter, “You are in fact one of them, for [it is clear from your accent, that] you are a Galilean, too.” ⁷¹ But he began to ^[r]invoke a curse [on himself] and to swear [an oath], “I do not know this man you are talking about!” ⁷² Immediately a rooster crowed the second time. And Peter remembered what Jesus said to him: “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And thinking of this, he began weeping [in anguish].

Jesus before Pilate

15 Early in the morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes and the whole Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), immediately consulted together; and they bound Jesus, they took Him away [violently] and handed Him over to Pilate.^{(T) 2} Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He replied to him, “It is as you say.”^{(U) 3} The chief priests began accusing Him of many things. ⁴ Then Pilate again asked Him, “Have You no answer [to give]? See how many charges they are bringing against You!” ⁵ But Jesus gave no further answer; so Pilate was perplexed.^(V)

⁶ Now at the [Passover] feast Pilate used to set free for them any one prisoner whom they requested.^{(W) 7} The man called Barabbas was imprisoned with the insurrectionists (revolutionaries) who had committed murder in the civil rebellion. ⁸ The crowd came up and began asking Pilate to do as he usually did for them. ⁹ Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to set free for you the King of the Jews?” ¹⁰ For he was aware that the chief priests had turned Jesus over to him because of envy and resentment. ¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to get him to release Barabbas for them instead. ¹² Again Pilate answered, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” ¹³ They screamed back, “Crucify Him!” ¹⁴ But Pilate asked them, “Why, what has He done that is evil?” But they screamed all the more, “Crucify Him!” ¹⁵ So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, set Barabbas free for them; and after having Jesus ^[s]scourged, he handed Him over [to his soldiers] to be crucified.^(X)

Jesus Is Mocked

¹⁶ The soldiers led Him away into the palace (that is, the ^[t]Praetorium), and they called together the entire [Roman] battalion [of 600 soldiers].^{(Y) 17} They dressed Him up in [a ranking Roman officer’s robe of] purple, and after twisting [together] a crown of thorns, they placed it on Him; ¹⁸ and they began saluting and mocking Him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” ¹⁹ They kept beating Him on the head with a ^[u]reed and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing in [mock] homage to Him.^{(Z) 20} After they had mocked Him, they took off the purple robe and put His own clothes on Him. And they led Him out [of the city] to crucify Him.

²¹ They forced into service a passer-by coming in from the countryside, Simon of ^[v]Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), ^[w]to carry His cross.^(AA)

The Crucifixion

²² Then they brought Him to the place [called] Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a ^[x]Skull.^{(AB) 23} They tried to give Him ^[y]wine mixed with myrrh [to dull the pain], but He would not take it. ²⁴ And they crucified Him, and ^[z]divided up His clothes among themselves, casting lots for them to see who should take what.^{(AC) 25} It was the third hour (9:00 a.m.) when they crucified Him.^{(AD) 26} The inscription of the accusation against Him had been written [above Him]: “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

²⁷ They crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. ^28 [aa][And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was counted with the transgressors.”]^{(AE) 29} Those who were passing by were insulting Him with abusive and insolent language, wagging their heads [as a sign of contempt], and saying, “Ha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in [only] three days,^{(AF) 30} save Yourself by coming down from the cross!” ³¹ In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were ridiculing and mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others [from death]; He cannot save Himself!^{(AG) 32} Let the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe and trust [in Him]!” Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.

³³ When the sixth hour (noon) came, darkness covered the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.).^{(AH) 34} And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”^{(AI) 35} Some of the bystanders heard Him and said, “Look! He is calling for ^[ab]Elijah!” ³⁶ Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see whether Elijah is coming to take Him down.”^{(AJ) 37} But Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed out His last [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan]. ³⁸ And the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from ^[ac]top to bottom. ³⁹ When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He breathed His last [being fully in control], he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

⁴⁰ Now some women also were watching from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and ^[ad]Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and ^[ae]Salome.^{(AK) 41} When Jesus was in Galilee, they used to accompany him and minister to Him; and there were also many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Jesus Is Buried

⁴² When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,^{(AL) 43} Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent and respected member of the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God—and he courageously dared to go in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁴⁴ Pilate ^[af]wondered if He was dead by this time [only six hours after being crucified], and he summoned the centurion and asked him whether He was already dead. ⁴⁵ And when he learned from the centurion [that Jesus was in fact dead], he gave the body to Joseph [by granting him permission to remove it]. ⁴⁶ So Joseph purchased a [fine] linen cloth [for ^[ag]wrapping the body], and after taking Jesus down [from the cross], he wrapped Him in the linen cloth and placed Him in a tomb which had been cut out of rock. Then he rolled a [large, wheel-shaped] stone against the entrance of the tomb.^{(AM) 47} Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were [carefully] watching to see where He was laid.

Preparing the Passover

22 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching.^{(A) 2} The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people [who listened devotedly to His teaching, and who respected His spiritual wisdom].

³ Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve [disciples]. ⁴ And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him and hand Him over to them. ⁵ They were delighted and agreed with him to give him money. ⁶ So he consented, and began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus to them [at a time when He was] separated from the crowd [because the people might riot or stop them from seizing Him].

⁷ Then came the preparation day of ^[a]Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.^{(B) 8} So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us, so that we may eat it.” ⁹ They asked Him, “Where do You want us to prepare it?” ¹⁰ He replied, “When you have entered the city, a ^[b]man carrying an earthen 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 asks, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ ¹² Then he will show you a large upstairs room, furnished [with carpets and dining couches]; prepare the meal there.” ¹³ They left and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

The Lord’s Supper

¹⁴ When the hour [for the meal] had come, Jesus reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. ¹⁵ He said to them, “I have earnestly wanted to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; ¹⁶ for I say to you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” ¹⁷ And when He had taken a cup and ^[c]given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves;^{(C) 18} for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” ¹⁹ And when He had taken bread and given 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 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant [ratified] in My blood. ²¹ But listen, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table.^{(D) 22} For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe (judgment is coming) to that man by whom He is betrayed and handed over!” ²³ And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this.

Who Is Greatest?

²⁴ Now a dispute also arose among them as to which of them was regarded to be the greatest. ²⁵ Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles have absolute power and lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’^{(E) 26} But it is not to be this way with you; on the contrary, the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest [and least privileged], and the [one who is the] leader, like the servant. ²⁷ For who is the greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

²⁸ “You are those who have remained and have stood by Me in My trials; ²⁹ and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you [the privilege] ³⁰ that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

³¹ “Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has demanded permission to sift [all of] you like grain;^{(F) 32} but I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter], that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith].” ³³ And Peter said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death!”^{(G) 34} Jesus said, “I say to you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will [utterly] deny three times that you know Me.”

³⁵ And He said to them, “When I sent you out without a money belt and [provision] bag and [extra] sandals, did you lack anything?” They answered, “Nothing.” ³⁶ Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money belt is to take it along, and also his [provision] bag, and he who has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. ³⁷ For I tell you that this [Scripture] which is written must be completed and fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was counted with the criminals’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment [and is settled].”^{(H) 38} They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

The Garden of Gethsemane

³⁹ And He came out and went, as was His habit, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed Him. ⁴⁰ When He arrived at the place [called Gethsemane], He said to them, “Pray continually that you may not fall into temptation.”^{(I) 41} And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup [of divine wrath] from Me; yet not My will, but [always] Yours be done.” ^43 [d]Now an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. ⁴⁴ And being in agony [deeply distressed and anguished; almost to the point of death], He prayed more intently; and His ^[e]sweat became like drops of blood, falling down on the ground.^{(J) 45} When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, ⁴⁶ and He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not fall into temptation.”

Judas Betrays Jesus

⁴⁷ While He was still speaking, a crowd came, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve [disciples], was leading the way for them. He approached Jesus to ^[f]kiss Him.^{(K) 48} And Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” ⁴⁹ When those who were around Him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” ⁵⁰ And ^[g]one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.^{(L) 51} But Jesus replied, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched the ear and healed him. ⁵² Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders [of the Sanhedrin] who had come out against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? ⁵³ Day after day when I was with you in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power and authority of darkness are yours.”

Peter’s Denials

⁵⁴ Then they seized Him, and led Him away and brought Him to the [elegant] house of the [Jewish] ^[h]high priest. And Peter was following at a [safe] distance. ⁵⁵ After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat among them.^{(M) 56} And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” ⁵⁷ But Peter denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him!” ⁵⁸ A little later someone else saw him and said, “You are one of them too.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” ⁵⁹ After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, “This man was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” ⁶⁰ But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. ⁶¹ The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” ⁶² And he went out and wept bitterly [deeply grieved and distressed].

⁶³ Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking and ridiculing Him [and treating Him with contempt] and beating Him. ⁶⁴ They blindfolded Him and asked, “Prophesy, who is it that struck You?” ⁶⁵ And they were saying many other [evil and slanderous] things against Him, blaspheming [speaking sacrilegiously and abusively about] Him.

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

⁶⁶ When day came, the Council of the elders of the people (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) assembled, both chief priests and scribes; and they led Jesus away to the council chamber, saying, ⁶⁷ “If You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe [what I say], ⁶⁸ and if I ask a question, 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.”^{(N) 70} And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” He replied, “^[i]It is just as you say.” ⁷¹ Then they asked, “What further need of testimony do we have? For we ourselves have heard it from His own mouth.”

Jesus before Pilate

23 Then the whole assembly got up and brought Him before Pilate. ² They began to accuse Jesus, asserting, “We found this Man misleading and perverting our nation and forbidding us to pay taxes to Caesar, and claiming that He Himself is Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), a King.”^{(O) 3} So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He answered him, “It is just as you say.” ⁴ Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this Man.” ⁵ But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people [to rebel], teaching throughout Judea, starting from Galilee even as far as here [in Jerusalem].”

⁶ When Pilate heard it, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. ⁷ And when he learned that He belonged to the jurisdiction of ^[j]Herod [Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee], he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

Jesus before Herod

⁸ When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time because of what he had heard about Him, and was hoping to see some [miraculous] sign [even something spectacular] done by Him. ⁹ And he questioned Him at some length, but Jesus made no reply.^{(P) 10} The chief priests and the scribes were standing there, continually accusing Him heatedly. ¹¹ And Herod with his soldiers, after treating Him with contempt and mocking and ridiculing Him, dressed Him in a gorgeous robe and sent Him back to Pilate.^{(Q) 12} Now that very day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other—before this they had been enemies.

Pilate Seeks Jesus’ Release

¹³ Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought this man before me as one who corrupts and incites the people to rebellion. After examining Him before you, I have found no guilt in this Man regarding the charges which you make against Him. ¹⁵ No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and indeed, He has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶ Therefore I will punish Him [to teach Him a lesson] and release Him.” ^17 [k][Now he was obligated to release to them one prisoner at the Feast.]

¹⁸ But they [loudly] shouted out all together, saying, “Away with this Man, and release Barabbas to us!”^{(R) 19} (He was one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection that happened in the city, and for murder.) ²⁰ Pilate addressed them again, wanting to release Jesus, ²¹ but they kept shouting out, “Crucify, crucify Him!” ²² A third time he said to them, “Why, what wrong has He done? I have found no guilt [no crime, no offense] in Him demanding death; therefore I will punish Him [to teach Him a lesson] and release Him.” ²³ But they were insistent and unrelenting, demanding with loud voices that Jesus be crucified. And their voices began to prevail and accomplish their purpose. ²⁴ Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted. ²⁵ And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he handed over Jesus to their will.

Simon Bears the Cross

²⁶ When they led Him away, they seized a man, ^[l]Simon of ^[m]Cyrene, who was coming in [to the city] from the country, and ^[n]placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.^(S)

²⁷ Following Him was a large crowd of the people, including women who were mourning and wailing for Him. ²⁸ But Jesus, turning toward them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹ For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not given birth, and the breasts that have never nursed.’ ³⁰ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’^{(T) 31 [o]}For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

³² Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be executed with Him.^(U)

The Crucifixion

³³ When they came to the place called ^[p]The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.^{(V) 34 [q]}And Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing His clothes among themselves.^{(W) 35} Now the people stood by, watching; but even the rulers ridiculed and sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others [from death]; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) of God, His Chosen One.” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him and [cruelly] offering Him sour wine,^{(X) 37} and sarcastically saying, “If you are [really] the King of the Jews, save Yourself [from death]!” ³⁸ Now there was also an inscription above Him: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

³⁹ One of the criminals who had been hanged [on a cross beside Him] kept hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us [from death]!” ⁴⁰ But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ We are suffering justly, because we are getting what we deserve for what we have done; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² And he was saying, “Jesus, [please] remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” ⁴³ Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with Me in ^[r]Paradise.”^(Y)

⁴⁴ It was now about the sixth hour (noon), and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.),^{(Z) 45} because the sun was ^[s]obscured; and the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was ^[t]torn in two [from top to bottom].^{(AA) 46} And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!” Having said this, He breathed His last.^{(AB) 47} Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he began praising and honoring God, saying, “Certainly this Man was innocent.” ⁴⁸ All the crowds who had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had happened, began to return [to their homes], beating their breasts [as a sign of mourning or repentance]. ⁴⁹ And all His acquaintances and the women who had accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, watching these things.

Jesus Is Buried

⁵⁰ A man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), a good and honorable man^{(AC) 51} (he had not consented to the Council’s plan and action) a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for and expecting the kingdom of God; ⁵² this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁵³ And [after receiving permission] he took it down and wrapped it in a linen [burial] cloth and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid. ⁵⁴ It was the day of preparation [for the Sabbath], and the Sabbath was dawning. ⁵⁵ Now the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed [closely], and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. ⁵⁶ Then they went back and prepared spices and ointments and sweet-smelling herbs.

And on the Sabbath they rested in accordance with the commandment [forbidding work].^(AD)

The Lord’s Supper

13 Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come [and it was time] for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Having [greatly] loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [and continuously loves them with His perfect love] to the end (eternally). ² It was during supper, when the devil had already put [the thought of] betraying Jesus into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, ³ that Jesus, knowing that the Father had put everything into His hands, and that He had come from God and was [now] returning to God, ⁴ got up from supper, took off His [outer] robe, and taking a [servant’s] towel, He tied it around His waist.

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

⁵ Then He poured water into the basin and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which was tied around His waist. ⁶ When He came to Simon Peter, he said to Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?” ⁷ Jesus replied to him, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but you will [fully] understand it later.” ⁸ Peter said to Him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me [we can have nothing to do with each other].” ⁹ Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, [in that case, wash] not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Anyone who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, and is completely clean. And you [My disciples] are clean, but not all of you.” ¹¹ For He knew who was going to betray Him; for that reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.”

¹² So when He had washed their feet and put on His [outer] robe and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? ¹³ You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is who I am. ¹⁴ So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet as well. ¹⁵ For I gave you [this as] an example, so that you should do [in turn] as I did to you. ¹⁶ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, you are blessed [happy and favored by God] if you put them into practice [and faithfully do them]. ¹⁸ I am not speaking of all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but [this has happened] in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled: ‘He who eats My bread has raised up his heel against Me [as My enemy].’^{(A) 19} From now on I am telling you [what will happen] before it occurs, so that when it does take place you may believe that I am He [who I say I am—the Christ, the Anointed, the Messiah]. ²⁰ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the one who receives and welcomes whomever I send receives Me; and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me [in that same way].”

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

²¹ After Jesus had said these things, He was ^[a]troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, one of you will betray Me and hand Me over.” ²² The disciples began looking at one another, puzzled and disturbed as to whom He could mean. ^23 [b]One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved (esteemed), was ^[c]leaning against Jesus’ chest. ²⁴ So Simon Peter motioned to him (John) and [quietly] asked [him to ask Jesus] of whom He was speaking. ²⁵ Then leaning back against Jesus’ chest, he (John) asked Him [privately], “Lord, who is it?” ²⁶ Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I am going to give this piece [of bread] after I have dipped it.” So when He had dipped the piece of bread [into the dish], He gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. ²⁷ After [Judas had taken] the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly [without delay].” ²⁸ But no one reclining at the table knew why He said this to him. ²⁹ Some thought that, since Judas [as the treasurer of the group] had the money box, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he was to ^[d]give something to the poor. ³⁰ After taking the piece of bread, he went out immediately; and it was night.

³¹ So when Judas had left, Jesus said, “Now is [the time for] the Son of Man [to be] glorified, and God is glorified in Him; ^32 [e][if God is glorified in Him,] God will also glorify Him (the Son) in Himself, and will glorify Him at once. ³³ Little children, I am with you [only] a little longer. You will look for Me and, as I told the Jews, so I tell you now, ‘Where I am going, you are not able to come.’^{(B) 34} I am giving you a new commandment, that you ^[f]love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”

³⁶ Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now; but you will be able to follow later.” ³⁷ Peter said to Him, “Lord, why cannot I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You!”^{(C) 38} Jesus answered, “Will you [really] lay down your life for Me? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, before a rooster crows you will deny and completely disown Me three times.

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. ⁴ And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way.” ⁵ Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; so how can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus said to him, “^[g]I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Jesus’ Oneness with the Father

⁷ If you had [really] known Me, you would also have known My Father. From now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

⁸ Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father and then we will be satisfied.” ⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and you do not know Me yet, Philip, nor recognize clearly who I am? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ ¹⁰ Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you I do not say on My own initiative or authority, but the Father, abiding continually in Me, does His works [His attesting miracles and acts of power]. ¹¹ Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe [Me] because of the [very] works themselves [which you have witnessed]. ¹² I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in My name [^[h]as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son.^{(D) 14} If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it.

¹⁵ “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.

Role of the Spirit

¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another ^[i]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.

¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you. ¹⁹ After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. ²⁰ On that day [when that time comes] you will know for yourselves that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. ²¹ The person who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him [I will make Myself real to him].” ²² Judas (not Iscariot) asked Him, “Lord, what has happened that You are going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?” ²³ Jesus answered, “If anyone [really] loves Me, he will keep My word (teaching); and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling place with him. ²⁴ One who does not [really] love Me does not keep My words. And the word (teaching) which you hear is not Mine, but is the Father’s who sent Me.

²⁵ “I have told you these things while I am still with you. ²⁶ But the ^[j]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.^{(E) 27} Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] ²⁸ You heard Me tell you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you [really] loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going [back] to the Father, for ^[k]the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does take place, you may believe and have faith [in Me]. ³⁰ I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming. And he has no claim on Me [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me]; ³¹ but so that the world may know [without any doubt] that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father has commanded Me [and act in full agreement with Him]. Get up, let us go from here.

Judas Betrays Jesus

18 Having said these things, Jesus left with His disciples and went across the ^[a]ravine of the Kidron. There was a garden there, which He and His disciples entered. ² Now Judas, who was betraying Him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. ³ So Judas, having obtained the Roman ^[b]cohort and some officers from the high priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.^{(A) 4} Then Jesus, knowing all that was about to happen to Him, went to them and asked, “Whom do you want?” ⁵ They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas, who was betraying Him, was also standing with them. ⁶ When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. ⁷ Again He asked them, “Whom do you want?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” ⁸ Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you want Me, let these men go on their way.” ⁹ This was to fulfill and verify the words He had spoken, “Of those whom You have given Me, I have not lost even one.”^{(B) 10} Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. ¹¹ So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword [back] in its sheath! Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

Jesus before Annas and Caiaphas

¹² So the cohort and their commander and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him, ¹³ and led Him to ^[c]Annas first; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. ¹⁴ It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.^(C)

¹⁵ Simon Peter and ^[d]another disciple were following Jesus. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, so he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the [residence of the] high priest; ¹⁶ but Peter was standing outside at the door. So the other disciple (John), who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter inside.^{(D) 17} Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” ¹⁸ Now the servants and the officers had made a fire of coals, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. And Peter was with them, standing and warming himself.

¹⁹ Then the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching.^{(E) 20} Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in a synagogue and in the temple [area], where all the Jews habitually congregate; and I said nothing in secret. ²¹ Why question Me? Question those who have heard what I said to them. They know what I said.” ²² But when He said this, one of the officers who was standing nearby ^[e]struck Jesus [in the face], saying, “Is that how You answer the high priest?” ²³ Jesus replied, “If I have said anything wrong, make a formal statement about the wrong; but if [I spoke] properly, why did you strike Me?” ²⁴ So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter’s Denial of Jesus

²⁵ Now Simon Peter was [still] standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”^{(F) 26} One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you with Him in the garden?” ²⁷ So Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Jesus before Pilate

²⁸ Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium (governor’s palace). Now it was early and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium so that they would not be [ceremonially] unclean, but might [be able to] eat [and participate in the Feast of Unleavened Bread which began after] the ^[f]Passover [supper]. ²⁹ So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”^{(G) 30} They answered, “If He were not a criminal, we would not have handed Him over to you [for judgment].” ³¹ Then Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and judge Him according to your own law.” The Jews said, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” ³² This was to fulfill the word which Jesus had spoken to indicate by what manner of death He was going to die.^(H)

³³ So Pilate went into the Praetorium again, and called Jesus and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” ³⁴ Jesus replied, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” ³⁵ Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and their chief priests have handed You over to me. What have You done [that is worthy of death]?” ³⁶ Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not of this world [nor does it have its origin in this world]. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting [hard] to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this world.” ³⁷ So Pilate said to Him, “Then You are a King?” Jesus answered, “You say [correctly] that I am a King. This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth [who is a friend of the truth and belongs to the truth] hears and listens carefully to My voice.”^{(I) 38} Pilate said to Him [scornfully], “What is truth?”

And when he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no guilt in Him [no crime, no cause for an accusation]. ³⁹ But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. So shall I release for you the King of the Jews?”^{(J) 40} Then they all shouted back again, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a ^[g]robber.

The Crown of Thorns

19 So then Pilate took Jesus and had Him ^[h]scourged (flogged, whipped). ² And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe around Him;^{(K) 3} and they kept coming up to Him, saying [mockingly], “Hail, King of the Jews [Good health! Peace! Long life to you, King of the Jews]!” And they slapped Him in the face.^{(L) 4} Then Pilate came out again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him [no crime, no cause for an accusation].” ⁵ So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, and Pilate said to them, “Look! The Man!” ⁶ When the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify [Him]! Crucify [Him]!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him [no crime, no cause for an accusation].”^{(M) 7} The Jews answered him, “We have a law [regarding blasphemy], and according to that law He should die, because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.”^(N)

⁸ So when Pilate heard this said, he was [even] more ^[i]alarmed and afraid. ⁹ He went into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus did not answer him.^{(O) 10} So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” ¹¹ Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me at all if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the sin and guilt of the ^[j]one who handed Me over to you is greater [than your own].” ¹² As a result of this, Pilate kept making efforts to release Him, but the Jews kept screaming, “^[k]If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar! Anyone who makes himself out [to be] a king opposes Caesar [and rebels against the emperor]!”

¹³ When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called ^[l]The Pavement, but in ^[m]Hebrew, Gabbatha. ¹⁴ Now it was the day of Preparation for the ^[n]Passover [week], and it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Look, your King!” ¹⁵ But they shouted, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

The Crucifixion

¹⁶ Then he handed Him over to them to be crucified.

¹⁷ So they took Jesus, and He went out, ^[o]bearing His own cross, to the place called ^[p]the Place of the Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.^{(P) 18} There they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.^{(Q) 19} Pilate also wrote an inscription [on a placard] and put it on the cross. And it was written: “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”^{(R) 20} And many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. ²¹ Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’; but, ‘He said, “I am King of the Jews.”’” ²² Pilate replied, “What I have written I have written [and it remains written].”

²³ Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer clothes and made four parts, a part for each soldier, and also the tunic. But the ^[q]tunic was seamless, woven [in one piece] from the top throughout.^{(S) 24} So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it will be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture, “They divided My outer clothing among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”^{(T) 25} So the soldiers did these things.

But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, His mother’s sister [^[r]Salome], ^[s]Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.^{(U) 26} So Jesus, seeing His mother, and the ^[t]disciple whom He loved (esteemed) standing near, said to His mother, “[Dear] woman, look, [here is] your son!” ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple (John), “Look! [here is] your mother [protect and provide for her]!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

²⁸ After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said in fulfillment of the Scripture, “I am thirsty.”^{(V) 29} A jar full of ^[u]sour wine was placed there; so they put a sponge soaked in the sour wine on [a branch of] hyssop and held it to His mouth.^{(W) 30} When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and [voluntarily] ^[v]gave up His spirit.

Care of the Body of Jesus

³¹ Since it was the day of Preparation [for the Sabbath], in order to prevent the bodies from hanging on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high holy day) the Jews asked Pilate to have their legs ^[w]broken [to hasten death] and the bodies taken away. ³² So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man, and of the other who had been crucified with Him. ³³ But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. ³⁴ But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came [flowing] out. ³⁵ And he (John, the eyewitness) who has seen it has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also [who read this] may believe. ³⁶ For these things took place to fulfill the Scripture, “Not a bone of His shall be broken.”^{(X) 37} And again another Scripture says, “They shall look at Him whom they have pierced.”^(Y)

³⁸ And after this, Joseph of Arimathea—a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews—asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away His body.^{(Z) 39} Nicodemus, who had first come to Him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, [weighing] about a hundred [Roman] ^[x]pounds. ⁴⁰ So they took Jesus’ body and bound it in linen wrappings with the fragrant spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. ⁴¹ Now there was a garden at the place where He was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb [cut out of solid rock] in which no one had yet been laid. ⁴² Therefore, because of the Jewish day of Preparation, and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.