Book of Common Prayer

²⁷ And when they had brought the apostles, they set them before the council. And the chief priest asked them, ²⁸ saying, Did we not strictly order you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

²⁹ Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought more to obey God than men. ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew, hanging him on a tree. ³¹ Him God has lifted up with his right hand, to be a ruler and a saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are his witnesses concerning these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.

³³ When they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and thought to kill them. ³⁴ Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of law greatly respected among all the people, and directed that the apostles be put apart for a little while, ³⁵ and said to them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, what you intend to do regarding these men. ³⁶ Before these days, one Theudas rose up, claiming himself to be somebody, and a number of men joined him – about four hundred. But he was slain, and all the people who believed him were scattered abroad and brought to nothing. ³⁷ After this man, Judas of Galilee arose, in the time when tribute began, and he drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all, even as many as followed him, are scattered abroad. ³⁸ And now I say to you, restrain yourselves concerning these men. Let them alone. For if the counsel of this work is of men, it will come to nothing. ³⁹ But if it is of God, you cannot destroy it, and you might even be found to be striving against God.

⁴⁰ And they agreed with him, and called the apostles, and beat them, and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

⁴¹ And they departed from the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name. ⁴² And daily in the temple and in every house they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.

³⁷ In the daytime he taught in the temple, and at night he went out and stayed on the Mount of Olives. ³⁸ And all the people came to him in the morning in the temple, to hear him.

Christ is betrayed. They eat the Passover lamb. The institution of the sacrament. They dispute who should be greatest; he reproves them. He prays three times upon the mount. They seize him and bring him to the high priest’s house. Peter denies him three times, and they bring Jesus before the council.

22 The feast of sweet bread drew near, which is called the Passover. ² And the high priests and scribes were seeking how to kill Jesus, but they feared the people. ³ Then Satan entered into Judas, whose surname was Iscariot (who was of the number of the twelve), ⁴ and he went his way and communed with the high priests and officers, how he might betray Jesus to them. ⁵ And they were glad, and promised to give him money. ⁶ And he accepted, and sought an opportunity to betray Jesus to them when the people were away.

⁷ Then came the day of sweet bread, when of necessity the Passover lamb must be offered. ⁸ And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare for us the Passover lamb so that we may eat. ⁹ They said to him, Where would you like us to prepare it? ¹⁰ And he said to them, When you have entered into the city, there a man bearing a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the same house that he enters in, ¹¹ and say to the head of the house, The Master says to you, where is the guest chamber, where I may eat my Passover lamb with my disciples? ¹² And he will show you a large upper room furnished. There make ready.

¹³ And they went and found things as he had said to them, and made ready the Passover lamb.