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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) but they were saying, “Not during the festival, for the people might riot.”

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The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 When Jesus had finished this [a]discourse, He said to His disciples, “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)

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, and plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him. But they said, “It must not be during the festival (Passover), otherwise there might be a riot among the people.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:1 I.e. a formal, extended teaching about important matters.
  2. Matthew 26:3 Caiaphas served as high priest a.d. 18 to 36. His father-in-law, Annas, served as high priest a.d. 6-15. Annas was removed from the position by Rome, but continued to be extremely influential and was regarded by the Jews as de facto high priest even though others (his sons and son-in-law) officially held the office. In about 1990, in an ancient burial cave outside Jerusalem, Israeli archeologists found twelve limestone ossuaries (bone boxes). One of them was uniquely elaborate and decorated with a rare and intricate pattern of rosettes. According to its inscription, this ossuary contained the bones of Caiaphas.

Preparing the Passover

22 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching.(A) 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].

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10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve [disciples], went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.(A) 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.

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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 [a]thirty pieces of silver.(A) 16 And from that moment Judas began looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:15 Probably about a month’s wages for a laborer.

Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve [disciples]. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him and hand Him over to them. They were delighted and agreed with him to give him money. 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].

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The Last Passover

12 On the first day [of the festival] of [a]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?”(A) 13 And He sent two of His disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a [b]man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him; 14 and say to the [c]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.

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 14:12 This remembrance lasted eight days. The Passover lambs were selected on the 10th of Nisan (March/April) and sacrificed on the 14th of Nisan (the first day of the feast). The Passover meal was eaten that same night (the 15th of Nisan). Passover was immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread (15-21 Nisan). The terms “Passover” and “The Feast of Unleavened Bread” were used interchangeably.
  2. Mark 14:13 Water jars were usually carried by women, so it would have been easy to notice a manservant performing this task.
  3. Mark 14:14 Tradition identifies the owner of the house as Mark’s father.

17 Now on the first day of [a]Unleavened Bread (Passover Week) the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”(A) 18 He said, “Go into the city to [b]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.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:17 This remembrance lasted eight days. The Passover lambs were selected on the tenth of Nisan (March/April) and sacrificed on the fourteenth of Nisan (the first day of the feast). The Passover meal was eaten that same night (15 Nisan). This was immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread (15-21 Nisan). The terms “Passover” and “The Feast of Unleavened Bread” were used interchangeably.
  2. Matthew 26:18 Tradition identifies this man as Mark’s father.

Then came the preparation day of [a]Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.(A) So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us, so that we may eat it.” 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.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 22:7 This remembrance lasted eight days. The Passover lambs were selected on the tenth of Nisan (March/April) and sacrificed on the fourteenth of Nisan (the first day of the feast). The Passover meal was eaten that same night (15 Nisan). This was immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread (15-21 Nisan). The terms “Passover” and “The Feast of Unleavened Bread” were used interchangeably.
  2. Luke 22:10 It would have been unusual to see a manservant carrying a jar of water, because that was considered a woman’s task.

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). It was during supper, when the devil had already put [the thought of] betraying Jesus into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, 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, 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

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. When He came to Simon Peter, he said to Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied to him, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but you will [fully] understand it later.” 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].” 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].

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17 When it was evening, He came with the twelve [disciples].(A) 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.”(B) 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 [a]blessed it [giving thanks and praise], and He broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take it. This is My body.”(C) 23 And when He had taken a cup [of wine] and [b]given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.(D) 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 [c]hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 14:22 See note Matt 26:26.
  2. Mark 14:23 See note Matt 26:27.
  3. Mark 14:26 The Hallel psalms (113-118) were sung at Passover.

The Last Passover

20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.(A) 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 [a]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.”(B) 25 And Judas, the betrayer, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, [b]You have said it yourself.”

The Lord’s Supper Instituted

26 Now as they were eating Jesus took bread, and after [c]blessing it, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”(C) 27 And when He had taken a cup and [d]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 [e]substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins.(D) 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 [f]hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:23 In the ancient culture sharing a meal in this way was a confirmation of friendship and goodwill.
  2. Matthew 26:25 “You” is emphatic in the Greek text.
  3. Matthew 26:26 The customary blessing spoken over the bread in the Passover meal was, “Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.”
  4. Matthew 26:27 Giving thanks consisted of two benedictions, one over the wine (“Blessed are You, Lord our God, who has created the fruit of the vine!”) and one for the return of the Feast Day with all it implied, as well as being allowed once more to witness it.
  5. Matthew 26:28 By laying his hands on the head of the sacrifice the one offering the sacrifice identified himself with it and through its death it became an atonement or covering for his sin. Because the unblemished sacrifice “covered” his sin, it placed the one offering the sacrifice in a right relationship with God, just as later under the new covenant the perfection and sacrifice of Christ would cover (atone for) the imperfection and sin of those who identified with Him and accepted Him as Savior.
  6. Matthew 26:30 The Hallel psalms (113-118) were sung at 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 [a]given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves;(A) 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.(B) 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.’(C) 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.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 22:17 Giving thanks consisted of two benedictions, one over the wine (Blessed are You, Lord our God, who has created the fruit of the vine!) and one for the return of the Feast Day with all it implied, as well as being allowed once more to witness it.

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.

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Footnotes

  1. John 13:21 See note 11:33.
  2. John 13:23 Probably John the Apostle, author of this Gospel and brother of James the Apostle. The mother of John and James was Salome, who is believed to be the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus. If so, Jesus and the brothers were related as cousins.
  3. John 13:23 As was customary in ancient times, everyone at the meal was reclining on his side on a long dining couch or bench. When there was a pause during the meal for discussion, it was common among close friends for one to lean back on the chest or shoulder of the other.
  4. John 13:29 Passover was considered a special time for charitable gifts to the poor.

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